West Ham United defender Vladimir Coufal claims that the Premier League club have shown an interest in his Czech Republic teammate Alex Kral, while speaking to Sport.
Alan Pardew’s time at Newcastle United was marked by a sudden influx of French footballers, from Mathieu Debuchy to Moussa Sissoko. Wolves, meanwhile, even have a Portuguese-themed third kit in reference to their Iberian influenced dressing room these days.
But could this be the dawn of an era at West Ham; a Czech revolution, perhaps, taking place in the English capital?
Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek have been nothing short of superb since swapping Slavia Prague for the London Stadium and, according to 90Min, £20 million-rated Sparta striker Adam Hlozek could be the next in line.
‘Agent Soucek’ has spoken openly about West Ham’s interest in some of the finest footballers the Czech league has to offer and, now, it is Coufal’s turn to offer a peak behind the curtain.
“We do not have a replacement for Declan (Rice) or Tomas – that is a fact. I would like Alex Kral. It would be amazing if he came,” Coufal said of the £11 million Spartak Moscow enforcer.
“(West Ham) asked about him – his character and things like that. It was certainly not at that stage that they would send an offer to Spartak Moscow.
“However, Alex is exactly the type to help us, who could one day replace Declan if he left.”
Like Rice, Kral is a young midfielder with technique and tenacity in equal measure.
He averages around 1.5 interceptions and tackles per game in the Russian league and boasts an impressive three assists from 19 matches this season (WhoScored).
Perhaps, if Rice departs this summer or next, Kral will be ready then to replace West Ham’s homegrown hero.
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