West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek was on the scoresheet for the Czech Republic in their win over Slovakia in the Nations League.
The Czech Republic finished their Nations League campaign off in style when they beat Slovakia 2-0. West Ham star Tomas Soucek scored the vital first goal with a brilliant header from a corner in the first half. Hammers right-back Vladimir Coufal also contributed to the result with a solid defensive display.
The goal for Soucek means that he has now scored in two of his last three games, having scored West Ham’s winning goal against Fulham earlier in the month. The Czech midfielder has scored five goals in his career since joining the Hammers in January which is a good return for a defensive midfielder.
The 25-year-old was signed on a permanent deal in the summer after his initial loan deal ended and the Hammers will be very happy with their investment thus far. Soucek has adapted to life in the Premier League with ease and has already formed a solid partnership with Declan Rice.
Check out Soucek’s fourth goal for the Czech Republic below.
Even though Soucek is predominately a defensive player, he is clearly able to have an impact in the opposition’s half. The towering midfielder is able to burst forward and make late runs into the box and is often able to create goalscoring chances for himself. The midfielder’s Xg (expected goals) would suggest that he is due a couple more goals soon.
Soucek has shown this time and time again and has been unlucky not to have scored more goals, the woodwork and goalkeepers have denied him from scoring some great goals. The Czech also had a goal taken away from him during West Ham’s thumping of Wolves. Soucek’s glancing header from a corner took a deflection off Raúl Jiménez on its way to the goal.
With Michail Antonio still on the road to recovery and only likely to make the bench against Sheffield United, David Moyes could again look to Soucek to be the match-winner. Sebastien Haller, though improving, is still struggling with the current system and has only managed one goal in the Premier League this season.