Why signing Tomas Soucek will be the most important transfer for West Ham

On the 29th on January, West Ham United announced the signing of 24-year-old midfielder Tomas Soucek from Slavia Prague on a six-month loan with an obligation to buy.

With David Moyes’ men in desperate need for some extra legs in midfield, no one could have predicted just how big of an impact Tomas Soucek would have on the current West Ham squad.

The Czech international has been a revelation for West Ham since joining and has fit into the starting line-up seamlessly, forming a strong partnership with Declan Rice and Mark Noble.

With the Premier League season nearing its end and West Ham seemingly safe, the attention has now turned to potential transfers. Hammers fans have been crying out for the Slavia Prague Loanee to join the Irons on a permanent basis. If Soucek does join, there are several reasons as to why it will be West Ham’s most important signing of the summer.

Performances and Statistics

The Hammers have been crying out for an energetic box to box midfielder for several seasons now, with Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyaté being the most recent players who failed to prove themselves in the role. Soucek has been the signing that most West Ham fans have been dreaming about for years.

The 2019 Czech footballer of the year ticks all the boxes with his high defensive and attacking work rate which has caused Premier League sides major problems this season. Since the restart, no player has covered more ground than Soucek with the player covering 73.89 km according to Sky Sports news. He quite simply doesn’t stop running.

Defensively Soucek has worked wonders, with the midfielder making 23 tackles, 29 clearances and 20 interceptions in 11 games for the club according to Onefootball. Standing at 6 ft 4, the number 28 also brings a massive goal threat having scored three goals in four games since Project Restart.

As well as this, the Czech international has had the second-most shots on target, the second most shots inside the box and the third most passes ending in the final third for West Ham since the season resumed.

Attitude

Another reason why the 25-year-old will be West Ham’s most important signing is his attitude. It is quite clear to see that Soucek is thrilled to play for West Ham and that the player has been fighting hard for the club to stay up so that he can sign on a permanent basis. This has made the Czech a real favourite among supporters who have been craving players like Soucek to be signed.

All West Ham fans really want is for players to fight for the badge and to give their all for the club and that is exactly what the towering Midfielder is doing. Soucek is also a leader, having been captain of Slavia Prague and that is something West Ham need in the dressing room.

The Czech actually wants to play for West Ham and has openly said that he hopes to remain in East London in an interview with Sky Sports. For too long West Ham have been attracting players by giving them big wages who think they are bigger than the club instead of recruiting players who actually want to be there. Soucek is a sign that that scattergun approach to transfers is coming to an end.

Price

One final reason why Soucek will be the most important signing of the summer is his price tag. The energetic Midfielder is priced at just £13.5 million which is an absolute bargain. Even better still, if the Hammers avoid relegation the Czech international will automatically sign permanently for that fee according to Claret&Hugh.

Soucek is significantly cheaper than other talked about Midfield targets such as Tiemoué Bakayoko and Franck Kessié, who both would have cost upwards of £25 million.

By signing him for such a small fee it will not only fill one of the club’s most needed positions, but it will also leave more of the Hammers transfer budget free to strengthen other key areas of the squad.

With all of this combined, there is no doubt that securing Soucek on a permanent deal should West Ham’s priority and that his signature will be the most crucial of the summer.

West ham travel up to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Wednesday as they look to mathematically secure their Premier League status and in doing so, ensure that the Czech powerhouse stays with the Hammers for many years to come.