The first round of World Cup qualifiers take centre stage this week with playoff semi finals offering group strugglers and stragglers another chance at making it to the June competition across North and South America: The final four European places in the competition are set to be decided this week, pitting Czechia against Ireland, and Denmark against North Macedonia, on Thursday.
According to reports this morning in thesun.co.uk, West Ham’s ever present Tomas Soucek is facing a worrying 24 hours ahead of the starting line up being announced for the Czech Republic’s home game this week:
“Czechia star facing shock axe ahead of vital Republic of Ireland World Cup play-off semi-final in Prague”
..Leads their article, confirming that West Ham veteran and Czechia skipper Soucek is facing being dropped for the semi final tie:
“TOMAS SOUCEK is set to be dropped by Czechia – having already been stripped of the captaincy.
this year Soucek is ‘everywhere’ for West Ham but it seems the message hasn’t been received in Prague -where he is set to be dropped!
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Soucek, 31, is one of the household names for Ireland’s World Cup rivals with his 37 Premier League goals for West Ham a record for a Czech player.”
Which would be harsh based on his recent West Ham performances which if anything have been on an upward trajectory since January.
An ever present for both club and country, being dropped at 31 could be the beginning of the end of Soucek’s international career but might mean the guy has more energy to prolong his West Ham career another couple of seasons: He’s likely to be sorely needed in the remaining 18 months on his Hammers contract.