The end of last season sparked a flurry of stories linking Tomas Soucek with a move away from West Ham.
At Claret & Hugh, we were fortunate to get the inside scoop from the player’s representatives, who consistently stressed that Soucek was a happy Hammer.
The general understanding was that the Czech midfielder wanted to stay and sign a new deal, but manager Graham Potter was looking to head in a different direction.
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Soucek has been a fantastic signing for West Ham and rightly earned his place as a fans’ folk hero. That said, even his biggest admirers would admit his strengths don’t lie in a pass-and-move game. So it’s understandable why a coach who prefers possession-based football might want to move him on.
The problem is, what Soucek excels at—scoring goals and defending his own box—makes him attractive to many other clubs. Midfielders who guarantee goals are rare, and that’s exactly what Big Sou brings to the table.
So it came as no shock to see him linked with Leeds United and, of course, Everton—where former West Ham boss David Moyes is now in charge. Moyesie’s admiration for Soucek is well known, and a reunion seemed inevitable.
David Moyes talks to Tomas Soucek
Former boss David Moyes and Soucek were a West Ham dream team
Soucek transfer talk has died down
Yet as the transfer window approaches the end of its first month, not a single bid has arrived. Meanwhile, Everton have been linked with almost every midfielder except the 30-year-old Soucek.
Perhaps Moyes and Everton have had a change of heart, deciding they no longer need his unique skill set. Which leaves me wondering—might Soucek actually stay at West Ham after all?
He may not get the new contract he’s hoping for, but a compromise might be found where he remains as a highly effective squad player.
Personally, I love the fella. For me, the issue was never Soucek—it was pairing him with both Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez or Álvarez in the same midfield. If he can accept a squad role and realise he won’t be an automatic starter, I’d be more than happy to see him stay.