In Tomas Soucek, West Ham landed one of the great modern Premier League bargains.
The Czech midfielder is one of the best in the league these days, and if the Hammers were to sell him today they’d make an unbelievable profit.
What can we say about Soucek that hasn’t already been said? We all know how dominant he is in the middle of the park as well as from set-pieces, but he’s also brought something else to West Ham.
Indeed, while an argument could be made that Soucek is the Hammers’ best player, you could also make a case for him being their best scout these days.
It sounds ludicrous but think about it. Vladimir Coufal was apparently signed off the back of a recommendation from Soucek, and he’s been a rousing success so far.
This summer the London club have also signed another player with Soucek’s help, bringing Alex Kral in on deadline day, and it looks like he could be another gem.
When West Ham signed Soucek they knew they were getting a brilliant footballer, but his influence has now stretched beyond what he bring to the club on the pitch.
Imagine if Moyes had never signed Soucek, West Ham also be without Coufal and Kral, two players who could be absolutely key to their top-four push this term.
Soucek was already a bargain, but this extra-curricular role he’s taken on as a part-time member of the recruitment team has made him look like one of the greatest purchases the Hammers, or any Premier League club, has ever made.
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