Alex Kral admits he is facing an uncertain future at West Ham United, speaking to Sport Express following a sluggish start to his Premier League career.
Just because Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek took to English football like the proverbial duck to water, that did not mean that Kral, too, was going to swim rather than sink in these most choppy of waters.
Playing just one minute of league football so far in West Ham colours, the Spartak Moscow loanee has been unable to force his way into David Moyes’ settled and well-drilled midfield.
As it stands, then, it seems unlikely that the Hammers will jump at the chance to turn Kral’s loan deal into a permanent transfer.
West Ham have an option – not an obligation – to sign the poodle-haired Czech Republic international for £12 million when his debut season in claret and blue comes to an end.
“It all depends on me. The two clubs will make a decision in the summer,” Kral explains.
“There is an option to return to Spartak. But there is also the possibility of staying at West Ham. Maybe to go to another club. Nobody knows what will happen.”
Does Alex Kral have a future at West Ham?
Kral, who was also linked with Everton and Newcastle before moving to London, believes he has made progress as a West Ham player, even if the supporters have had few chances to see for themselves.
“Of course it’s hard for me. I’ve never been in a situation where I wasn’t playing. At Spartak, I was on the field every game,” Kral adds.
“But I know what the coach wants from me. I need to work on myself. It is very important. I must take the chances I have. I have to play the way the coach wants.
“Of course, this is a different level. I think that the level of the Premier League is very different from all other leagues in general, if we are talking about intensity and power. I’m glad that I can progress in the best league in the world.
“The environment, the mentality, a new city, a new club – everything is new for me. I’m starting to get used to everything, as I’ve been there for four months now. I think I have adapted well to the pace, the intensity. I still continue to study.”
Spartak Moscow’s sporting director, Luca Cattani, broke his silence on Kral’s future earlier this month, insisting that the midfielder will always have a place to call home in the Russian capital.
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