Pundit delivers verdict on Tomas Soucek West Ham United exit
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has backed Tomas Soucek to regain his West Ham United form after speculation began to grow over his future at the London Stadium.
ExWHUemployee revealed in the summer (Patreon account, 1 June) that the Hammers had shelved contract talks with the Czech Republic international.
McAvennie was convinced the 27-year-old was set to leave the London Stadium and has been impressed with how he has “knuckled down” in the first half of the season.
“They need someone to sit with Soucek and I thought he was going to be leaving the club, but he’s obviously knuckled down and he’s getting on with it,” McAvennie exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“Hopefully he can go back to the player that he was last year. In the first half of this season, he’s been on the fringe of games and actually, he’s a lot better than that.
“I think Declan Rice will be there until the end of the season as I don’t see him leaving in January and it’s now up to the two of them to form a partnership again.”
Claret & Hugh suggest (15 December) that the Hammers have the option to extend Soucek’s contract next season, but there’s no indication as to whether they will or not.
Soucek has featured 15 times in the Premier League and has scored one goal and managed one assist so far in the 2022/23 campaign.