West Ham United: Czech media give Vladimir Coufal man of the match award after ‘spectacular’ Malta performance
West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal returned to the international stage “in style” for Czechia against Malta, as described by Czech outlet iSport.
Czechia thumped Malta 7-1 in their final EURO2024 warm-up match, and Coufal was singled out for praise after having a hand in three goals, including two assists for striker Mojmir Chytil either side of half-time.
With players like Patrick Schick and fellow Hammer Tomas Soucek rested, Coufal took up the role of “leader, pillar and mentor” for a youthful Czechia side, also laying on the pass for Pavel Sulc which teed up Matej Jurasek for goal number six.
The full-back is staying at the London Stadium for at least another season after triggering a contract extension, and iSport’s report suggests that he could end up making a big impact for Julen Lopetegui.
Coufal can stake West Ham United claim at EURO2024
If his showing against Malta is anything to go by, Coufal is shaping up to be one of the key performers for Czechia at this year’s European Championships.
Still only 31-years-old, Coufal is also in line to be the only first-team right back on West Ham’s books by the end of the month, with Ben Johnson all-but certain to depart on the free transfer.
New head coach Lopetegui has already identified six positions [The Sun] which will need strengthening over the course of the summer, and has reportedly given particular attention to the club’s defensive numbers [Evening Standard].
Right-back will undoubtedly be one of the areas in which the Spaniard seeks to bring in reinforcements, but in his current form, Coufal could return from Germany with his own stocks higher than ever.
The Hammers may even have direct competition for Coufal by the time he’s back at the London Stadium this July, but that will only spur him on to continue his exceptional international performances [TuttoSport].
In other West Ham news, Dharmesh Sheth has issued an update on a Hammers player who’s now being pursued by a rival Premier League club.
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