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Fulham supposedly made a Deadline Day move to sign West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal in February.
There’s been an air of stability to the early days of the Graham Potter era at West Ham. That’s something that, if truth be told, can’t really have ever been said about the tumultuous reign of Julen Lopetegui.
However, during the international break, it appears that there may be something rotten in the state of Stratford. Full-back Vladimir Coufal has given a bombshell interview to Mladá fronta Dnes and shared his frustration at his current situation at West Ham.
It’s easy to be sympathetic towards the 32-year-old. Coufal was a favourite under David Moyes and a stalwart for the Hammers. The Czech Republic international has made 173 appearances since arriving in 2020 and had been consistent in his efforts, recording 20 assists.
Vladimir Coufal drops blocked Fulham transfer bombshell
The defender spent a run of six matches warming the bench without a single Premier League minute between September and November. In Potter’s first four top flight matches in charge he was on the bench for two and then started two before a hamstring strain.
At 32 years old, Coufal’s prominence in the team was always likely to begin to fall away and the arrival of 27-year-old Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United for £15 million hasn’t helped his case - and that’s a credit to Wan-Bissaka, who is perhaps the only one of £132 million worth of summer spending to truly impress.
Back in November, Coufal gave an interview hinting at his unhappiness with playing time and a summer exit when his contract ends. In the new quotes, the defender has gone even further in revealing transfer talks that took place in January.
As quoted by Sport Witness, he said: “I’m torn about all this because West Ham didn’t let me go to Fulham on deadline day. I guess not many people know about this.
“In the dressing room after the match [against Chelsea], I look at my phone and there are four missed calls from my agent. Plus, a message: ‘Call me immediately’.
West Ham star keen to stay in London
“I’ll be 33 and it made sense to me [to move], although I love West Ham and could imagine finishing my career there,. As for Fulham, I would stay in the Premier League and even in London. We really like it there. My son has started playing in the West Ham academy and is doing better than I expected.
“My daughter will be going to school next year. How do I explain to them that we are moving to a completely different place? That is why I need to hear from West Ham so that I can consider what to do next.”
Coufal is speaking sense and it’s disappointing that the club has allowed it to get to such a place, but to be airing his dirty laundry publicly for the second time is not a good look for West Ham. In an era where Potter is trying to keep heads cool, it’s the type of drama the ex Chelsea and Brighton boss will want to leave in the past.
There is therefore then surely no future for Coufal at West Ham. Potter wants to add youth to an ageing squad and he’s right to do so. Freddie Potts has signed a new deal this week and the rise of Ollie Scarles at left back has been exciting.
Speaking in his first ever press conference as West Ham manager, Potter took no time in pointing to his preference for youth and working with the academy. He said: “The Academy is something that is central to this Club.
“I think our supporters like to see players from the Academy pushing into the first team, and I think it can help us in terms of how we identify players and how we think about recruitment. I think the starting point should always be to look at what we’ve already got here.”
Crystal Palace or Brentford potential smart moves for defender
Coufal is still Premier League quality and a player that could add experience to a side already buoyed by younger stars. A move to Fulham in January would have made sense with Kenny Tete injured but it would be somewhat of a surprise to see Marco Silva pursue that move in the summer. Timothy Castagne has another two years on his deal and, at 29 years old, perhaps needs younger cover.
Everton have been linked with interest and Coufal responded to those in the interview. He said: “When I am free, anything can happen.”
However, his emotional quotes about his family are surely a plea to London rivals to offer him a deal to stay in the capital. Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Munoz has been linked with an exit to Chelsea, which could offer a place for Coufal, who has the attacking acumen to fill that wing back role. Meanwhile, at Brentford, Mads Roerslev left on loan for VfL Wolfsburg in January and Kristoffer Ajer is perhaps not the most dynamic of options for Thomas Frank - the Getch would perhaps be the ideal move for Coufal.
In other news, West Ham have confirmed a contract breakthrough with a first team star this week.
Related topics:West HamFulhamPremier LeagueGraham PotterEverton
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