West Ham: Tomas Soucek savaged by Czech media ahead of World Cup

West Ham United's Tomas Soucek is hoping to enjoy a successful World Cup with Czechia after a poor domestic campaign.

With the Hammers relegated to the Championship, the midfielder certainly hopes for more joy on the international scene.

Czechia, who qualified for the 2026 World Cup after defeating the Republic of Ireland and Denmark in the play-offs, have been drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and South Africa.

It is a tricky group for Soucek, with the midfielder and his fellow Czech nationals in action in pre-World Cup friendlies, but against Guatemala, the West Ham star did little to prove himself.

The Czech media have since released their verdict on the 31-year-old, and it is not a good look for Soucek.

What have Czech media said about Tomas Soucek?

Czechia have been preparing to compete in the 2026 World Cup, as most nations have, competing in pre-tournament friendlies.

In the first friendly against Kosovo, it was a 2-1 win for Czechia, and they were looking to head into this summer's festival of football with yet another win.

Czechia faced up against Guatemala, who are 94th in the FIFA rankings, and while they did win 3-1, Soucek was far from impressive.

According to Czech publication iSport, Soucek "slipped into average territory".

They went on to give him a five out of ten, and continued to state: "From his position as a defensive midfielder, he should have done a better job of organising the remaining defence.

"At the end of the first half, his finish from an angle was weak, a situation that cried out for a sharp, low cross instead. Later, his header went over the crossbar."

Meanwhile, Sport CZ have simply noted one poor moment from Soucek during the game just before Czechia conceded.

They state: "Just when it looked like Koubek’s men were building momentum toward the end of the half - with both Soucek and Jurasek failing to convert promising chances - the punishment came. And it followed yet another absolute blunder in defence."

Ahead of Czechia's first World Cup game against South Korea, the West Ham ace will certainly hope to pull off a better than "average" showcase.

What is the latest on Soucek's future?

As with many of West Ham's top stars, Soucek could be used as a makeweight to help ease the £150million in player sales target required.

However, at his age, he would likely only help cause a small dent in that figure.

The Czech international has been linked with a move to Everton, in what would be a reunion with David Moyes.

However, other than that, there has been little on his future. While away with Czechia, Soucek has also refused to speak on what the transfer window could hold for him.

The midfielder is simply focusing on the World Cup ahead, so there may be little emerging about him until he returns to Rush Green.