Souček and Coufal go into action. The Hammers have a real challenge at the beginning of the season

The London team qualified for the European Cup for the second time in a row from the seventh position last season, but instead of the Europa League, they will compete for a lower competition, i.e. in the Conference League. Coach David Moyes’ men are certainly planning to fight for the top spots in the Premier League this year, but right at the start they will challenge quite possibly the toughest possible opponent in the form of Manchester City.

An important role in the team should again be played by both our nationals in the colors of Kladivář, i.e. Vladimír Coufal and the captain of the Czech national team, Tomáš Souček. Saturday’s game against RC Lens should be proof, as Coufal and Souček started in the starting line-up and played the entire match, respectively 82 minutes. Neither side scored a goal in the match, so both teams parted amicably with the result 0:0.

“It was clear to us that it would be a difficult match. Already from the pre-match analysis, we recognized their quality on the ball and in the press box. In addition, they beat Inter Milan last week, so it was a really good test for us,” commented Coufal to the club’s website, who also discussed the possible change of his role in the team, as he played the first half of the match in the traditional full-back position and the second as a half-back in a formation with three defenders. “I don’t see that much of a difference because I try to play attacking and from a normal full-back position. Playing at half-back is maybe a bit more physically demanding, but I mainly enjoy being on the pitch regardless of where the coach takes me will build.”

The other Czech at West Ham, Tomáš Souček, remained in Moyes’ squad, although there was speculation about his possible departure. Three English clubs – Aston Villa, Everton and Newcastle – and, according to some sources, even the famous Juventus Turin were among those interested. The former player of Slavia or Liberec was unusually productive in terms of goals in preparation, scoring twice in three matches played.

West Ham will have to do without midfielder Mark Noble for the first time since 2005 against the Citizens, who will battle the Hammers for points on Sunday from 17:30 CEST. He spent 16 seasons in the burgundy jersey, but he will not add another one, as he has decided to end his playing career. The biggest summer signings are the 29-year-old French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, until now a regular PSG player who was last on loan at Fulham, and the 23-year-old Italian Gianluca Scamacca. Last year, he scored 16 goals for Sassuolo in Serie A and thus earned a contract with the Hammers.