The infectious smile is back, the hot streak continues and a new goal celebration shows Tomas Soucek has rediscovered his verve to become West Ham United’s talisman.
In a laborious encounter against TSC Backa Topola in Serbia, it was Soucek who struck late for a 1-0 win.
When manager David Moyes needed a winner against Burnley last weekend, it was also Soucek who answered the call. Against Nottingham Forest in the final match before this month’s international break, it was classic Soucek, towering over his marker to score in the dying stages of a 3-2 West Ham victory. When Moyes’ men looked devoid of ideas away to third division Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup in September, Soucek squashed fears of an upset with the tie’s only goal midway through the second half.
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The 28-year-old has been a dependable offensive presence — and the Czech Republic international has now scored in his last five matches for club and country. He has also adopted a spinning celebration for good measure. So what has caused this resurgence?
After winning the Europa Conference League final in June, Moyes gave his squad three and a half weeks off. Soucek travelled to Greece with his family and some close friends. After pre-season, he mentioned how fresh he felt after his holiday, and how he had switched off and become re-energised for the upcoming season.
“I just hope that everyone can see on the pitch that I feel motivated to impress in every game,” said the midfielder in October.
Soucek had an underwhelming 2022-23 for West Ham, with just three goals across 50 appearances. It was a huge contrast to the previous campaign, when he scored six times, while in 2020-21 he was named their player of the year having finished as joint top scorer with 10. Given how much Soucek impressed in that first full season, having joined from Slavia Prague on an initial loan in January 2020, supporters often wanted more from him.
His struggles were like a singer who never quite replicates the heights of their debut hit record.
Soucek was aware his performances had not hit the same level.
“Maybe last season I didn’t feel right, didn’t feel that motivated, but this season I feel great,” he said.
Now, Soucek’s form has markedly improved and the past four months bear a resemblance to the Soucek of old. More importantly, he looks like he will be able to score in double figures for the second time in his West Ham career, having registered seven goals in 17 appearances so far.
“I’m enjoying life, because it’s perfect,” he said. “It’s not like the goals have been for four or five-nil. They’ve been very important goals, many of them, and they’ve helped us get points. It’s very important for me, for the team, and I’m just happy I can help the team. I just want to be ready for every ball, if someone touches it, or if someone misses it I want to be there.”
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It is often unstated how unselfish Soucek is.
He sacrificed the offensive side of his game last season to allow Declan Rice, who went on to join Arsenal for £105million in July, to transition into a box-to-box midfielder.
There was a time when Rice and Soucek were considered the best midfield duo in the Premier League. Rice would sit deep, while Soucek had permission to roam forward. But in 2022-23 they switched roles. Soucek played the defensive role, while Rice pushed upfield. It meant Soucek had fewer goalscoring opportunities, which culminated in him having his worst season under Moyes.
A look at his stats then and now is telling.
| This season | Last season | |
|---|---|---|
18 | Games Played | 50 |
0.45 | Goals | 0.07 |
43.5 | Touches | 47.5 |
3.2 | Touches in opposition box | 2.4 |
0.33 | Expected Goals | 0.14 |
2.1 | Shots | 1 |
2 | Shots Inside Box | 1.1 |
This campaign, per 90 minutes, Soucek has had more touches in the opposition box (3.2) than last term (2.4). His expected goals of 0.33 has doubled from 0.14 last season. He is also attempting more shots inside the box.
The graphic below shows how his shot locations have evolved since 2020-21. His xG per shot of 0.17 is the highest it has ever been for West Ham.
This season, he has an average shooting distance of 9.7 yards from the goal line.
In 2022-23, it was slightly higher, at 10.1 yards.
Soucek is known for his aerial abilities but only two of his seven goals this season have been headers. He has other attributes which he has showcased over the past three goals. It is worth remembering Soucek was a striker during his academy days at Slavia. Despite transitioning into a midfielder as his career developed, it is clear he has not lost his goalscoring instinct.
Here in Saturday’s match against Burnley, forward Jay Rodriguez is tasked with marking Soucek.
The midfielder uses his strength to surge past Rodriguez, but his finish that is equally impressive.
We have not been accustomed to seeing Soucek showcase his technical abilities when scoring, but he did at Turf Moor.
Against Backa Topola last night, it was the midfield who initiated the match-winning attack. Soucek plays it out wide to second-half substitute Thilo Kehrer, then advances into the box.
Kehrer passes to Maxwel Cornet, who whips in a pinpoint cross, which Soucek volleys home. Two games, two winners, two technically good finishes.
The Soucek of old has belatedly returned — and he is on track to record his best goalscoring return in a single season for West Ham. He once polarised opinion but has overcome his struggles to be Moyes’ main man again.
It’s no surprise the smile is back.
(Photo: Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
