Tomas Soucek West Ham future in doubt after contract talks stall

Contract negotiations between West Ham and Tomas Soucek have reportedly hit a standstill putting the midfielder’s future at the club in doubt.
 
West Ham’s success under David Moyes is thanks to a range of factors; a settled defence being one and firepower in attack being another.

However, the consensus is that the opportunity for the likes of Jarrod Bowen and co to thrive is afforded by the midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.

While West Ham fans will have expected murmurings of unrest regarding the former, the future of the usually unassuming Soucek being brought into doubt will come as a surprise.

A captain at international level, the Czech Republic midfielder has been of equal importance to his club side since making a loan move from Slavia Prague permanent ahead of the 20/21 season.

Deployed in a double pivot within a rigid 4-2-3-1 formation, alongside Rice, the two have provided the spine to their side’s recent success both domestically and on the European stage.

Despite falling off the perhaps unsustainable pace set in his first full season in claret and blue, in 2021/22 the 27-year-old has again proved a reliable servant starting 34 out of the Hammers’ 38 Premier League games.

Notwithstanding the dip in form, higher-ups at West Ham were progressing with negotiations for a new contract for Soucek, who has two years with an option of another year left on his current deal.

The Tomas Soucek situation as things stand:

The Guardian understands talks have hit a roadblock, however, suggesting a difference in opinion over the extent of a pay rise has come to light.

Jacob Steinberg goes on to indicate that Moyes is looking to strengthen his options in midfield irrespective of outgoings, with Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse listed as targets.

Unconfirmed reports stating that West Ham will listen to offers for Soucek have been met with disdain by a large contingent of their supporters.

The East-London club experienced a shortage at the position in 2021/22, potentially owing to Soucek’s inability to produce the all-encompassing performances shown previously.

A towering figure in the middle of the park, Soucek is of a similar profile to his partner Declan Rice in that regard which in itself acts as an explanation for their decreasing productivity.

With another year of European competition to contend with after securing their place at the UEFA Conference League with a seventh-place finish, midfield isn’t the only area that will require reinforcements.