Tomas Soucek could be gone from West Ham United in next two windows despite contract reports – Paul Brown
Tomas Soucek is likely to leave West Ham by the start of next season as he faces being gradually “phased out” once the new signings are secure, according to Paul Brown.
The former Daily Star journalist told GIVEMESPORT on 4 October that with the likes of Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse brought in as the next generation of the Hammers midfield the Czech could be “willing to leave” sooner rather than later, as he might not start often once the others have fully adapted to life at the club.
The Athletic reported on 15 August that Soucek, 28, had signed a new four-year Irons contract but that has never been officially announced by the club, and while Brown expects them to speak to the midfielder about it he is “not convinced” there is a long-term future at the London Stadium.
Brown said: “I think West Ham will certainly still talk to Soucek about a new contract. I kind of get the impression that he may be willing to leave the club though, and see what else there might be around for him in the next couple of windows. I think it will depend on just how keen both sides are to keep that relationship going.
“He has probably played a bit more this season than most people thought, given the amount of signings they made in that area. They do have players that came in who don’t know the league and are still adapting and getting settled.
“Once that adaptation period is over, is he still expecting to be a regular starter or would he gradually be phased out once the players they signed are all fully up to speed? It’s difficult to know, but I’m not convinced that Soucek will be at West Ham next season.”
Evolution
In theory Soucek could have gone at any point over the past year and a half as his form continually regressed, but David Moyes has always stuck with him, suggesting his time in the starting line-up could well continue.
There were fewer alternatives to partner Declan Rice for much of that time, especially when the manager always seemed bizarrely disinterested in Flynn Downes.
And this season Soucek’s performances have rebounded so it is arguably Alvarez who would be most at risk of not starting from the central options.
It is odd that there was a definite report on a new contract from a reputable source that has never been backed up by an official announcement.
So until there is some sort of clarification one way or another on that there will be doubts over Soucek’s future at the club.
But if West Ham continue to sign players of the quality that they landed this summer then it would necessarily make his task that much tougher to crack the starting XI, although he has managed to maintain his claim in the eyes of the manager further than many expected so it’s hard to write him off.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are hoping to swoop for a surprise free agent signing with a player in exit talks.