While Graham Potter did not get much right during his miserable spell in the West Ham United dugout, it seems he may have had a point regarding the longevity of one Tomas Soucek.
Because, although West Ham turned down a £15 million from Everton in the final few days of the transfer window, Hammers News were informed at the beginning of the summer that Soucek had been made available for transfer.
In addition to Everton, Leeds held discussions with the Czech Republic veteran, before seemingly being spooked by a hefty price-tag.
Times journalist Gary Jacob, meanwhile, claimed that Graham Potter had reservations about Tomas Soucek’s physicality and his energy levels on the back of his 30th birthday back in February.
In truth, while the former Slavia Prague captain will always retain a special place in the hearts of West Ham United supporters, his performances for both club and country at the beginning of 2025/26 do little to disprove Potter’s fears.
Tomas Soucek’s ‘decline’ a worry for West Ham United and the Czech Republic
Alan Pardew felt ‘so sorry’ for Soucek following his sending off against Tottenham Hotspur a month ago, but referee Jarred Gillett had no choice, really. His challenge on Joao Palhinha was late, reckless, and scythed through his shin pad.
That early bath came just a week after Soucek was labelled ‘the worst player’ in the Czech XI during a 2-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Montenegro. A midfielder with 83 caps under his belt was then dropped, for only the second time in four years, for the second match of that September double-header.
Soucek returned to the Czech XI during Thursday’s stalemate with Croatia but, based on the response from the local press, a couple of weeks off through suspension did not exactly bring about greater returns.
“It is hard not to notice the decline he has experienced in the last year,” Fotbal Zpravy wrote in worrying post-match assessment.
“He seemed clumsy on the pitch and was late to the ball several times because of this.”
There were, meanwhile, a few familiar complaints.
Soucek outshone by 40-year-old Croatian legend Luka Modric
As Upton Park legend Tony Gale explained following the 3-2 EFL Cup defeat at Wolves – a match in which Soucek scored his first goal of the season – the long-serving West Ham ace is far more effective as a box-crashing attacking midfielder, rather that in the deeper role he occupied for Potter in the early weeks of the campaign.
A case in point; up against the evergreen and still-masterful Luka Modric, Soucek completed the fewest passes [17] and made the second-fewest touches [33] despite occupying a position where players are expected to get on the ball and dictate proceedings.
“He and [fellow midfielder] Lukas Cerva lack the necessary creativity and the defenders used them minimally when passing,” Fotbol Zpravy’s report adds.
“It is also interesting to compare his touches with the ball compared to Modric. The Czech midfielder lost in this respect by a landslide.”
“He fought, as befits a captain. But there was no success going forward,” Sport explain, Soucek also squandering one of few chances with a tame early effort. “Perhaps the lack of game practice due to his dismissal at West Ham showed.
“From a promising position, he could have sent the national team into the lead early, but he fired only weakly.”
Nuno Espirito Santo could have a selection headache as Soucek returns
With Lucas Paqueta likely to remain Nuno Espirito Santo’s go-to number ten, opportunities for Soucek in his favoured role may be few and far between going forward at West Ham too.
Soungoutou Magassa and Mateus Fernandes have added competition in the centre of the park, too. Nuno has taken a liking to Freddie Potts, as well.
So while Soucek is surely safe from the fate which befell James Ward-Prowse, maybe Potter had a point when he suggested that the Conference League winner’s best days were behind him.
Soucek is raring to go again at West Ham, in the meantime, having missed both of Nuno’s two matches in charge.
“Of course, I missed [last few Hammers] matches. But as you all know me [to do], I prepared honestly. I also played the match against Reading from the third tier [in the EFL Trophy],” Soucek told Fotbal.
“I feel fit. I still felt the same [as I usually do against Reading]. I had a match a week ago, so it’s not that long, but it’s true that I had a break for three matches after a long time. At least, I had a free weekend after a long time!”
