A West Ham star’s shock sudden link to an elite club has a tell-tale sign of fake news after it took everyone by surprise.
West Ham fans are well used to seeing their players being linked with elite clubs.
Whenever the Hammers have a top star on their hands, the vultures start circling.
It has always been thus for the likes of West Ham, who sit lower down the football food chain.
Declan Rice was the latest to be whisked away.
Lucas Paqueta was meant to be next only for the case against him to foil – for now at least – a move from West Ham to Man City.
Then of course came somewhat inevitable stories linking the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Edson Alvarez to pastures new.
What West Ham fans probably didn’t expect to read this weekend is that the biggest club in the world now wants a player who divides opinion among fans.
Soucek more scapegoat than GOAT
Though loved by the vast majority, Tomas Soucek has so often been a go-to scapegoat during tough times at West Ham.
As West Ham have progressively improved over the last few years – thanks in no small part to Soucek’s influence and input – the big Czech midfield ace has seen his position in the team questioned.
Particularly now a new head coach has arrived in the shape of Julen Lopetegui – charged with playing a better brand of football.
There is a view among many Hammers supporters that Super Tom is not so super on the ball. And as a result it is difficult for West Ham to get fluidity through the midfield.
Another 10-goal season – in which he stopped West Ham conceding goodness knows how many more – has done little to change the minds of those who feel Soucek is holding the team back.
Whatever your stance on Soucek, though, one thing seems clear.
The midfielder will have to fight to prove himself to his new boss.
Soucek’s shock Real Madrid link has tell-tale sign of fake news
But it seems he’s certainly appreciated by Real Madrid if reports are to be believed.
Those last four words being particularly key in this case.
Because the West Ham star’s shock sudden link to the elite of all elite clubs has a tell-tale sign of fake news.
In its print edition today, Spanish outlet Sport has named Soucek as one of Real Madrid’s potential options to replace Toni Kroos this summer following his retirement.
Soucek and Kroos. The West Ham man and German legend bear absolutely no similarities in terms of style of play.
In fact you probably couldn’t get two more contrasting central midfielders if you tried.
Besides all that, though, there’s an easy way to spot this is nothing more than hot air.
Because the Spanish publication claims that Soucek is being considered due to his status as a free agent this summer.
If Soucek’s a free agent someone had better tell West Ham
Dear oh dear.
Soucek secretly agreed a new deal at West Ham nearly a year ago now.
The 29-year-old had his three-year contract extension confirmed back in January.
So he clearly isn’t a free agent and clearly isn’t – if proof were needed – a target for Real Madrid.
Stranger things have happened of course when Real Madrid signed West Ham outcast at the time Julien Faubert on loan.
Paul Merson famously said Faubert’s agent deserved a knighthood for the achievement.
Perhaps Real want something completely different in their armoury given the supreme talents they have on the ball all over the park? Even so, it just seems highly unlikely.
One midfielder who did leave West Ham to go on and play at the elite level was Frank Lampard.
And Lampard sent a message to Lopetegui about Soucek this week which may make the new Hammers boss think twice before considering letting him leave.