From a rejected local boy to an elite midfielder: Thomas Soucek has come a tough-long way to get to the top

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West Ham United may not be one of the favourites to win the league this season, but their position on the log is astonishing even by their standards, and David Moyes has really find fortune in beholding one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

Thomas Soucek has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season. Photo Credit: Twitter/ West Ham United.

Thomas Soucek, not one of your flashy player and hardly caught the eye on the field of play but has never been underwhelming since joining The Hammers in just over a year ago. At a fee around £19m, the Czech international has to go down as one of the best deals ever made by the London club.

No one would have given him a chance upon his arrival, having not settled down in recent seasons before his arrival in England. He was rejected by local teams in his homeland years before and after not being convinced by his ability, Viktoria Zizkov was persuaded to take him a on loan deal, costing no fee.

Nevertheless, the 25year old has overcome the storm to become one of the very best in his position of play, in the very best league in the world while playing for West Ham United, a team that doesn't rank among the top 10 in the league 12 months ago.

Being a defensive midfielder, Soucek will look like one not capable of thriving in this role in a physical league like the English top-flight but even without a physicality suited for the role, the former Slavia Praha man will take some beating.

Moreso, Soucek is also an aerial threat and has been a handful for defenders in the league this season. His eight league goals so far have all come from open play, and no other midfielder has scored more this season (open play goals).

Thomas Soucek celebrates scoring for West Ham United in a Premier League match. Photo Credit: Twitter/ West Ham United.

Another strength to his game is the fact that he has never been sent off in his career having played well over 200 games. He was recently sent off for a violence conduct in West Ham's most recent league game at Fulham but the red card was rescinded on appeal and Soucek will not serve any suspension.

It is a gift that West Ham United boasts a player like Soucek but with his continue rise and age still on his side, it is just a matter of time, when top clubs from Europe will be drawn to his quality, and seek to lure him away from West Ham United.


Afolabi Kehinde Hassan

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