West Ham United’s Premier League opener at Sunderland on Saturday could see El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mads Hermansen, Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson all make their debuts under Graham Potter.
Well, their official, competitive debuts anyway.
Malick Diouf has already made an ‘unbelievable’ impression since joining West Ham United in a £19 million deal from Slavia Prague. It’s early days, of course. But the manner in which Diouf created Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen’s goals during that 2-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth in Atlanta had real prime-Aaron Cresswell vibes.
Kyle Walker-Peters featured regularly during those pre-season preparations too.
But, speaking of pre-season, you would be hard pressed to find a more convincing first showing than Vladimir Coufal’s during his unofficial Hoffenheim bow.
Over a month after West Ham released Coufal upon the expiry of his contract, the veteran Czech defender completed his move to the Bundesliga outfit on a free transfer.
Graham Potter clearly felt Coufal’s best was behind him. It’s fair to say Potter’s opposite number in the Hoffenheim dugout does not share the same cynicism, especially after watching the 32-year-old roll back the years during an 8-0 blitz against FC Metz.
Vladimir Coufal during Manchester City FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
West Ham United hero Vladimir Coufal shines as Hoffenheim thrash FC Metz 8-0
Wearing the number 34 shirt, it was Coufal’s clever hooked pass into the penalty area which helped Max Moerstedt lash Hoffenheim into an early lead.
Shortly before he exited proceedings just past the hour mark, meanwhile, the 2023 Europa Conference League winner threaded a ball into the path of Tim Limperle as the Sinsheim outfit extended their advantage to 6-0 over the newly-promoted Ligue 1 outfit.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Following an injury to fellow right-back Valentin Gendrey, meanwhile, Coufal’s arrival could hardly have been better timed according to Ilzer.
“In him, we’ve found a player who embodies the profile we’re looking for very well,” Ilzer beamed, Hoffenheim putting the seal on a remarkable win with two further goals following Coufal’s substitution.
“Vlad is one of the basic pieces for us, from which the team’s puzzle unfolds.”
Not quite the centrepiece of the Hoffenheim jigsaw, but someone who makes the overall picture a lot more visible.
Coufal moved to Germany after Fulham and Everton links faded
It is no secret that Vladimir Coufal hoped to stay in the Premier League after bringing an end to half-a-decade in claret and blue. And, for a while at least, his wish looked destined to come true.
Fulham saw a bid rejected by West Ham in January but remained on his trail from there onwards. A reunion with David Moyes at Everton was mooted too, alongside reported interest from Leeds United and Wolves.
However, Fulham closed the door when they tied down cult hero Kenny Tete. Potential moves to Everton, Leeds or Wolves did not materialise either, despite the latter outfit losing captain Nelson Semedo.
At least, while his time on English soil is now officially over, Coufal did get his wish of extending his time in the elite leagues of European football.
“After my years in England with West Ham United, I am now looking forward to a new challenge in the German Bundesliga,” he said after putting pen to paper on a one-year deal last week.
“The talks with TSG were all excellent, so I didn’t have to think twice. I am convinced that this team has great potential.”
Hammers News were told last week that close friend and long-time teammate Tomas Soucek could still leave West Ham as well before the window closes.