Tomáš Souček

Key strength: Adaptability

Versatile player

West Ham United's fight for Premier League survival hangs in the balance, with the Hammers languishing in 18th place and their experienced Czech enforcer struggling for minutes. Tomáš Souček, now 30 and valued at €12m, has seen his influence wane dramatically—managing just 192 minutes across 5 appearances this campaign with one solitary assist, punctuated by a costly red card that further marginalized his role. It's a stark contrast to the towering 1.92m midfielder who once terrorized opponents with his aerial dominance and box-to-box energy after arriving from Slavia Prague in 2020. With emerging competition from Freddie Potts and the savvy Guido Rodríguez alongside him, Souček's gritty ball-winning presence could prove invaluable as David Moyes' side desperately seek escape from the drop zone. His contract runs until 2027—a statement of faith from the club—but with just 26 appearances, 4 goals and 1 assist last season, the Czech international must rediscover the combative form that made him a fan favorite if West Ham are to survive the relegation scrap.