Thanks to the red card he picked up against Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek will head out for Czech Republic duty having played just 54 minutes of Premier League action across the previous month.
And while the likes of former Upton Park boss Alan Pardew ‘felt so sorry’ for Soucek as he picked up his first red card since 2021 in that 3-0 derby defeat – the long-serving midfielder’s attempted challenge on Joao Palhinha was well-intentioned but undoubtedly reckless – he gave referee Jarred Gillett no choice really.
Sliding in in a desperate attempt to recover the ball, Tomas Soucek flew in over the ball and tore Palhinha’s shin pad in the process.
An early bath and a three-match ban was the inevitable punishment.
So, although Nuno Espirito Santo confirms that Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jean-Clair Todibo could return for West Ham United during Saturday’s trip to Arsenal, Soucek will have to wait until after the international break to make his first appearance under the new boss.
The good news is that, with Ivan Hasek including him ahead of Czech Republic’s double header against Croatia and the Faroe Islands, the former Slavia Prague captain should get some valuable minutes under his belt before Brentford arrive at the London Stadium on October 20th.
Ivan Hasek confident in Tomas Soucek despite West Ham United red card and poor Czech form
Tomas Soucek struggled badly in his most recent appearance in his nation’s starting XI. So much so that the West Ham favourite was dropped by the Czech Republic for only the second time in four years.
Soucek will hope to make his return to the team sheet against Group L challengers Croatia next Thursday.
Hasek has spoken to the 30-year-old. And the head coach saw any concerns over Soucek’s fitness calmed after he played the full 90 minutes for Mark Robson’s Under-21s against Reading in the EFL Cup this week.
“We are in contact. We have talked about [his suspension],” Hasek tells Sport. “He played for the junior team. We have the data, he ran thirteen kilometres [in that 3-1 Reading loss]. He will be rested.
“As a true captain, he has always helped us. I hope he will help us again.”
That sweaty thirteen kilometre session meant Soucek covered more ground against Reading than the highest average of any Premier League player – Brentford’s Yehor Yarmolyuk – during the entire 2024/25 season.
Mark Robson lauds Soucek’s leadership as Nuno offers James Ward-Prowse olive branch
Talk about setting a good example. An experienced pro dropping down to the reserves and demonstrating the sort of determination and discipline required of Mohammed Kante, Preston Fearon and co if they are to make good on their obvious potential.
“He’s a top player,” Reading coach Noel Hunt said after watching Soucek approach that EFL Trophy clash with the same energy he approaches every Premier League clash.
“How he went about his business tonight just shows why he’s been a top player for a long time at this level.”
The aforementioned Mark Robson hailed Soucek’s influence, meanwhile, as well as highlighting the infectious enthusiasm of hard-running centre-forward Callum Marshall.
Talking of veteran midfielders, Nuno Espirito Santo kept the door ajar for a certain £30 million man despite the fact James Ward-Prowse was dropped from West Ham’s squad for Monday’s 1-1 draw at Everton.
“We are trying to [get to] know the players as soon as possible, as best as we can,” Nuno said during his press conference on Thursday. “So we can make the proper solutions and decisions.
“James wasn’t involved [at Everton]. Let’s see [if he returns at Arsenal]. We have one more training session.
“We always have the same mindset; What the team needs. It’s going to be a long season. It’s too early to say what we expect. We need the squad strong and healthy.”
