National media raves about 7/10 West Ham United man Vladimir Coufal after what he did for Czechia
West Ham United star Vladimir Coufal was lauded by the Czech media on Friday night [11 October] after his contribution to a 2-0 win over Albania.
The right-back played the full 90 minutes of the Nations League victory in Prague alongside Irons teammate Tomas Soucek, and assisted Tomas Chory for the second of his match-winning brace.
Victory over Ukraine on Monday night [14 October] could send the nation top of their group, and the media in Coufal’s homeland have heaped on the praise.
Czech website iSport.cz [11 October] handed the Hammer a 7/10 rating, explaining: “Just like in the old days in Slavia [Prague], he and [Jan] Bořil closed the sides of the pitch, the four-point formation suits him.
“He [took] set-pieces, he cared about combinations. He sent the ball to the head of Chorý [for] the insurance goal.”
Vladimir Coufal fighting for his West Ham spot
Coufal has been a hardened performer for Czechia down the years, but now the fight is on for his West Ham United place.
It is easier said than done given the club’s lengthy pursuit of a right-back over the summer, eventually landing Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has affirmed himself as the first-choice for Julen Lopetegui.
Coufal’s only two league starts were in the opening matches of the season, and since then has had to make do with substitute appearances and starts in the Carabao Cup – from which the Hammers are now eliminated.
The 32-year-old had been suggested as part of a summer clear-out [The Times, 19 August] as a new leaf turns on the squad under Tim Steidten, but he has been well worth keeping around even if not for the long haul.
Lopetegui has quickly discovered it is the seasoned players of a claret and blue shirt who are so far providing the majority of his good fortune in the job – so to have dispensed with Coufal so soon would have been a hasty error of judgement by the club.
In other West Ham news, Mohammed Kudus faces criticism from Ghana fans live on TV.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.