West Ham star Tomas Soucek has now done something that’s happened only once before in Premier League history
Tomas Soucek has divided opinion amongst the West Ham United fans, especially over the past couple of years or so.
It’s bizarre isn’t it? Tomas Soucek gives absolutely everything for West Ham, and puts his body on the line for us, week in, week out.
As Hammers fans, that’s all we have ever asked for, and it’s time that Soucek is given more respect at the London Stadium as far as I’m concerned.
Soucek is thriving under Graham Potter, somewhat surprisingly so, and he has already admitted how much clearer the 49-year-old is than Julen Lopetegui when handing over tactical instructions.
The 30-year-old has been in fine form for the Hammers this season.
He is arguably the fittest player at the London Stadium, and he proved that the day after the Arsenal game, when he took part in the Olympic Park fun run with his daughter.
We should all consider ourselves very lucky to have the Czech Republic international at the London Stadium.
And now he’s equalled a Premier League record.
Tomas Soucek did something incredible for West Ham vs Leicester
Soucek opened the scoring for the Hammers against Leicester on Thursday night.
That’s nothing new – he now has 35 goals in 235 games for West Ham (Transfermarkt) – a really impressive return for a central midfielder.
However, the goal was hugely significant, and equalled one rather obscure Premier League record.
Soucek turned 30 on Thursday, but it wasn’t the only time he’s scored on his birthday. He did it against Wolves in 2022 as well on his 27th birthday.
Now, only one other player in Premier League history has scored goals on two separate birthdays – Teddy Sheringham in April 1994 and 1995, via Opta Joe.
Tomas Soucek will leave West Ham as a legend, I’m convinced of that.
He bleeds Claret and Blue and has played a pivotal role in our transformation as a club over the past five years.
Hopefully he’ll go on to score many more goals for the Hammers and who knows, perhaps he’ll add a third birthday goal before his time with us comes to an end.
What Tomas Soucek said about Potter makes Lopetegui look terrible
Soucek is clearly a huge fan of the Hammers head coach.
The West Ham midfielder raved about Potter after he had been at the club for only 24 hours.
“We’ve had just one day training with him. From his first speech I saw a lot of optimism. Also, he’s a good talker, very clear.”
Soucek said that the day after Potter was appointed as the new Hammers boss.
If that wasn’t a clear and obvious dig at Lopetegui then I don’t know what is.
Tomas Soucek seems to be going from strength to strength under Potter’s tutelage at West Ham, and long may that continue.
West Ham fans often get an unjust bad rap for being demanding and fickle but sometimes a certain minority just don’t help themselves.
There was a certain amount of irony as Tomas Soucek starred in West Ham’s win over Leicester.
