Tomáš Souček: Difference between revisions

| caption = SoucekSouček playing for [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] in 2021

| height = 1.92 m<ref>{{cite web|title=Tomáš Souček|url=https://www.whufc.com/player/14 |title=Tomáš Souček |publisherwebsite=West Ham United F.C. |access-date=10 November 2022}}</ref>

| caps5 = 119149

| goals5 = 1925

| nationalcaps4 = 6273

| nationalgoals4 = 1013

| club-update = 1819:3841, 431 NovemberAugust 20232024 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 1821:5735, 157 OctoberSeptember 20232024 (UTC)

'''Tomáš Souček''' ({{IPA-|cs|ˈtomaːʃ ˈsoutʃɛk}}; born 27 February 1995) is a Czech professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[defensive midfielder]] for {{English football updater|WestHamU}} club [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] and [[Captain (association football)|captains]] the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic national team]].

Souček joined [[SK Slavia Prague|Slavia Prague]]’s's youth team as aat 10-year years old,<ref name=bbcrep>{{Cite web|first=Lukáš|last=Vrablík|title=Tomas Soucek: West Ham midfielder's rise from rejection to Premier League star|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56001747|titlequote='He just wasn't good enough' - Soucek's rise|viawebsite=www.bbc.co.uk[[BBC Sport]]|date=11 February 2021}}</ref> after joining from hometown club [[FC Slovan Havlíčkův Brod|Slovan Havlíčkův Brod]]. Slovan Havlíčkův Brod subsequently netted £1.5 million following Souček's transfer to [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] in 2020, covering their running costs for the next ten years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/tomas-soucek-transfer-news-west-ham-boyhood-club-ps1-5m-a4508291.html|title=Tomas Soucek's boyhood club 'bank £1.5m from West Ham transfer' which will cover budget for a decade|publisher=Evening Standard|date=25 July 2020|accessdateaccess-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> He had trials with two second-tier clubs, [[MFK Frýdek-Místek|Frýdek-Místek]] and [[FC Sellier & Bellot Vlašim|Vlašim]], but they did not want to sign him.<ref name=bbcrep/> [[FK Viktoria Žižkov|Viktoria Žižkov]]’s manager, [[Jindřich Trpišovský]], watched Souček play and was not convinced of his ability but was persuaded to take him on a loan costing nothing to the club.<ref name=bbcrep/>

On 29 January 2020, Souček joined [[Premier League]] side West Ham United on an initial loan deal until the end of the [[2019–20 West Ham United F.C. season|2019–20 season]], with an option to make the transfer permanent in the summer.<ref name="WestHam">{{cite web|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/january/29-january/west-ham-united-complete-loan-signing-czech-midfielder-tomas|title=West Ham United complete loan signing of Czech midfielder Tomáš Souček|website=West Ham United FC|date=29 January 2020|access-date=30 January 2020}}</ref> On 1 July, he scored his first goal for West Ham in a 3–2 win against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], having had a goal disallowed earlier in the same half by [[Video assistant referee|VAR]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52080261|title=West Ham 3-2 Chelsea: Yarmolenko hits injury-time winner|date=1 July 2020|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> In West Ham's following league match, he scored again to give his team a 2–1 lead against [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], in an eventual 2–2 away draw.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Edwards|first1=Luke|last2last1=BullEdwards|first2=J. J.|datelast2=2020-07-05Bull|title=West Ham remain in relegation trouble after twice throwing away lead against Newcastle|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/07/05/newcastle-vs-west-ham-premier-league-live-score-latest-updates/|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=5 July 2020|access-date=6 July 2020-07-06|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> West Ham announced the permanent signing of Souček on 24 July 2020 on a four-year contract, for a fee of around €21 million (£19 million).<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 July 2020|title=West Ham United complete €21m permanent Tomáš Souček transfer|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/july/24-july/west-ham-united-complete-eu21m-permanent-tomas-soucek-transfer|access-date=27 July 2020|website=West Ham United}}</ref> In August 2020, he was awarded the [[Golden Ball (Czech Republic)|Czech Golden Ball]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ksn.cz/aktuality/ankety/zaloznik-soucek-poprve-vyhral-anketu-zlaty-mic-cr-o-fotbalistu-sezony.html|title=Záložník Souček poprvé vyhrál anketu Zlatý míč ČR o fotbalistu sezony|website=ksn.cz|access-date=5 August 2020|language=cs}}</ref>

On 1 January 2021, Souček scored the first [[Premier League]] goal of 2021 as West Ham beat [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] 1–0 at [[Goodison Park]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 January 2021|title=Soucek scores first goal of 2021, West Ham beats Everton|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/soucek-scores-first-goal-2021-west-ham-beats-everton/|access-website=SportsNet|date=1 January 2021|website=SportsNet}}</ref> During added time in a game against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] on 6 February, Souček was controversially sent off upon review after [[Video assistant referee|VAR]] appeared to show him strike [[Aleksandar Mitrović]] in the face; referee [[Mike Dean (referee)|Mike Dean]]'s decision was criticised by many of Souček's teammates, manager [[David Moyes]] and a number of [[pundits]] who protested Souček's innocence.<ref>{{Cite webnews|first=Michael|last=Emons|title=Fulham 0-0 West Ham United|url=https://www.bbc.co.ukcom/sport/football/55867140|titlewebsite=SoucekBBC redSport|date=6 cardFebruary 2021|via=West Ham manager David Moyes called referee Mike Dean's decision to send off Tomas Soucek "embarrassing'" as the Hammers drew with Fulham - Moyes|via=www.bbc.coand missed a chance to move into the top four of the Premier League.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite webnews|first=Jack|last=Wilkinson|title=Fulham 0-0 West Ham: Tomas Soucek sent off late on as Hammers miss top-four chance|url=https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11661/12210496/fulham-0-0-west-ham-tomas-soucek-sent-off-late-on-as-hammers-miss-top-four-chance|titlewebsite=Fulham[[Sky 0-0 West Ham: Tomas Soucek sent off late on as Hammers miss top-four chanceSports]]|websitedate=Sky6 SportsFebruary 2021}}</ref> West Ham launched an appeal to have the decision overturned in the aftermath.<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Ham United appeal Tomáš Souček red card|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/february/07-february/west-ham-united-appeal-tomas-soucek-red-card|titlewebsite=West Ham United appeal Tomáš Souček red card|websitedate=West7 HamFebruary United2021}}</ref> On 8 February, the red card was rescinded.<ref>{{Cite webnews|urlfirst=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55981926Simon|last=Stone|title=Mike Dean: Referee notifies police over death threats to family|viaurl=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55981926|website=BBC Sport|date=8 February 2021}}</ref> He finished the [[2020–21 Premier League|2020–21 season]] as jointWest Ham's joint-top scorer, along with [[Michail Antonio]], both having scored ten goals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/25/West-Ham-United/stats|title=West Ham United FC Statistics|website=Premier League}}</ref> Souček's exploits during the 2020–21 season won him the [[West Ham United F.C.#Hammer of the Year|Hammer of the Year]] award.<ref name=hoty>{{cite web|title=West Ham United supporters crown Tomáš Souček 2020/21 Betway Hammer of the Year!|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/august/06-august/west-ham-united-supporters-crown-tomas-soucek-202021-betway|title=West Ham United supporters crown Tomáš Souček 2020/21 Betway Hammer of the Year!|publisherwebsite=West Ham United F.C.|date=6 August 2021|access-date=6 August 2021}}</ref>

On 7 June 2023, Souček played in the [[2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final]], against [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] in Prague. West Ham won their first trophy in 43 years with a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{citeCite webnews|title=Jarrod Bowen strikes at the last to earn Conference League glory for West Ham|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/07/fiorentina-west-ham-europa-conference-league-final-match-report|titlewebsite=Jarrod[[The BowenGuardian]]|date=7 strikesJune at2023|access-date=27 August 2023}}</ref> On 1 January 2024, he signed a new contract with the lastclub tountil earn2027.<ref>{{cite Conferenceweb|title='I Leaguefeel glorythat forthis Westis Hammy home now' - Soucek signs until 2027|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c06ypdr326zo|website=TheBBC GuardianSport|accessdatedate=271 AugustJanuary 20232024}}</ref>

After representing the Czech Republic in several youth categories, Souček made his debut for the [[Czech Republic national football team|senior side]] on 15 November 2016 in a [[Exhibition game#Association football|friendly match]] against [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]]. He made his competitive debut on 10 June 2017, in Czech Republic's 1–1 away draw against [[Norway national football team|Norway]] in a [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|2018 World Cup qualifier]]. Souček appeared in all three matches of the [[Czech Republic national under-21 football team|Czech Republic under-21 team]] in the [[2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship|2017 UEFA Under-21 Championship.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://repre.fotbal.cz/hrac/hraci/4057|title=Tomáš Souček {{!}} Reprezentace {{!}} FOTBAL.CZ|website=Fotbal.czFootball Association of the Czech Republic|access-date=2 July 2017|language=cs}}</ref>

On 24 March 2021, Souček scored a [[hat-trick]] in a 6–2 [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|World Cup qualifying]] win against [[Estonia national football team|Estonia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56516156|title=Estonia 2–6 Czech Republic: Tomas Soucek scores hat-trick in comfortable win|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 March 2021|access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref> He was a member of the Czech Republic squad for [[UEFA Euro 2020|Euro 2020]] whichwhere wasthey were eliminated in the quarter-finals by [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/may/24-may/vladimir-coufal-and-tomas-soucek-called-czech-republic-uefa-euro-2020|title=Vladimír Coufal and Tomáš Souček called up by Czech Republic for UEFA Euro 2020|website=West Ham United|access-date=424 JulyMay 2021|access-date=244 MayJuly 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51198684|title=Czech Republic 1-2 Denmark|access-datewebsite=4BBC July 2021Sport|publisher=BBC|date=3 July 2021|publisheraccess-date=BBC4 SportJuly 2021}}</ref> Following the tournament, Souček was confirmed as the new captain of the Czech Republic, after [[Vladimír Darida]]'s retirement from international football.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denik.cz/fotbal/soucek-si-uziva-dovolenou-a-tesi-se-na-roli-kapitana-mozna-bude-vic-rozhovoru.html|title=Souček si užívá dovolenou a těší se na roli kapitána: Možná bude víc rozhovorů|website=[[Deník]]|access-date=2414 AugustJuly 2021|access-date=1424 JulyAugust 2021|language=cs}}</ref>

Souček has built a reputation as an energetic box-to-box midfielder with both defensive and attacking qualities.<ref name="WestHam" /> He is also known for his strong physical presence thanks to his {{height|m=1.92|precision=0}} frame.<ref name="WestHam" /> HeSouček was likened to [[Marouane Fellaini]] by [[José Mourinho]] due to his heading ability from set-pieces.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jose Mourinho: West Ham lucky to draw; David Moyes has found his 'new Marouane Fellaini' in Tomas Soucek|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12107921/jose-mourinho-west-ham-lucky-to-draw-david-moyes-has-found-his-new-marouane-fellaini-in-tomas-soucek|titlewebsite=JoseSky Mourinho: West Ham lucky to draw; David Moyes has found his 'new Marouane Fellaini' in Tomas SoucekSports|date=19 October 2020|website=Skysports|access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref>

{{updated|match played 831 OctoberAugust 20232024}}<ref>{{cite web|title=T. Souček|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/toma-souek/319365/|title=T. Souček|website=Soccerway|access-date=302 JanuaryMarch 20202024}}</ref>

|rowspan="56"|West Ham United

|37||7||2||0||03||1||1||210{{efn|name=UEL}}||12||colspan="2"|—||1052||410

!129162!!2228!!911!!0!!36!!1!!2432!!34!!0!!0!!165211!!2633

!268302!!5359!!1921!!3!!36!!1!!5866!!78!!1!!2!!354396!!6673

{{updated|match played 2026 June 20232024}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=29640|title=Tomáš Souček|website=EU-Football.info|access-date=29 March 2022}}</ref>

|rowspan="89"|[[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]]

|2023||510||13

!colspan="2"|Total!!6172!!1013

:''Scores and results list Czech Republic's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Souček goal.''<ref name="NFT">{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/65942/Tomas_Soucek.html|title=Souček, Tomáš|publisherwebsite=National Football Teams|access-date=9 November 2017}}</ref>

| align="center"|1 || 8 November 2017 || [[Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium]], [[Doha]], Qatar || {{fb|ISL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–1 || rowspan="2"|[[ExhibitionFriendly game#Association(association football)|Friendly]]

| align="center"|3 || 10 September 2019 || [[Podgorica City Stadium]], [[Podgorica]], Montenegro || {{fb|MNE}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Group A|UEFA Euro 2020 qualificationqualifying]]

| align="center"|5 || rowspan="3"| 24 March 2021 || rowspan="3"|[[Arena Lublin]], [[Lublin]], Poland || rowspan="3"|{{fb|EST}} || align="center"|3–1 || rowspan="3" align="center"|6–2 || rowspan="3"|[[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group E|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification]]

| align="center"|9 || 29 March 2022 || [[Cardiff City Stadium]], [[Cardiff]], Wales || {{fb|WAL}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1

| align="center"|10 || 15 October 2023 || [[Doosan Arena]], [[Plzeň]], Czechia || {{fb|Faroe IslandsFRO}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 ||rowspan=13 |[[UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group E|UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying]]

* [[Czech First League]] Best Midfielder of the Season: [[2018–19 Czech First League|2018–19]]<ref name=":0">{{cite tweet|number=1131178566207582210|user=fortunaligacz|title=Nejlepším záložníkem Tomáš Souček ze @slaviaofficial🔴⚪️|date=22 May 2019}}</ref>

* [[Czech Footballer of the Year]]: 2019,<ref>{{citeCite news|title=Souček jasným KRÁLEM! Záložník se po skvělé sezoně stal Fotbalistou roku|url=https://isport.blesk.cz/clanek/fotbal/377340/soucek-jasnym-kralem-zaloznik-se-po-skvele-sezone-stal-fotbalistou-roku.html|title=Souček jasným KRÁLEM! Záložník se po skvělé sezoně stal Fotbalistou roku|language=cs|website=[[Blesk]]|publisher=[[Czech News Center]]|date=22 March 2020|access-date=23 March 2020|language=cs}}</ref> 2020,<ref>{{citeCite news|title=Souček znovu králem českého fotbalu, Trpišovský nejlepším trenérem, Zima největším talentem|url=https://www.sport.cz/fotbal/ostatni/clanek/2228191-soucek-znovu-kralem-ceskeho-fotbalu-trpisovsky-nejlepsim-trenerem-zima-nejvetsim-talentem.html|website=[[Seznam.cz|Sport.cz]]|publisher=Borgis|date=23 March 2021}}</ref> 2023<ref>{{cite news|first=Martin|last=Mls|title=SoučekFotbalistou znovuroku králemje českéhopotřetí fotbaluSouček, Trpišovskýdotáhl nejlepšímse trenérem,na ZimaRosického. největšímTrenérům talentemkraloval Trpišovský|languageurl=cshttps://www.sport.cz/clanek/fotbal-fotbalistou-roku-je-potreti-soucek-dotahl-se-na-rosickeho-trenerum-kraloval-trpisovsky-5024873|website=sport.cz|publisher=PrávoBorgis|date=2318 March 20212024|access-datelanguage=23 March 2021cs}}</ref>

* [[Golden Ball (Czech Republic)]]: 2020,<ref>{{citeCite news|title=Záložník Souček poprvé vyhrál anketu Zlatý míč ČR o fotbalistu sezony|url=http://www.ksn.cz/aktuality/ankety/zaloznik-soucek-poprve-vyhral-anketu-zlaty-mic-cr-o-fotbalistu-sezony.html|title=Záložník Souček poprvé vyhrál anketu Zlatý míč ČR o fotbalistu sezony|language=cs|work=ksn.cz|publisherwebsite=KSN|date=4 August 2020|access-date=4 August 2020|language=cs}}</ref> 2021,<ref>{{citeCite news|title=Souček získal podruhé Zlatý míč. A zase s rekordním náskokem|url=https://www.sport.cz/fotbal/reprezentace/clanek/2555608-soucek-ziskal-podruhe-zlaty-mic-a-zase-s-rekordnim-naskokem.html|title=Souček získal podruhé Zlatý míč. A zase s rekordním náskokem|language=cs|workwebsite=sport.cz|publisher=PrávoBorgis|date=14 July 2021|access-date=14 July 2021|language=cs}}</ref> 2023,<ref>{{cite news |first=Pave|last=Dosadil|firsttitle=PavelSouček vyfoukl Barákovi další trofej. O Zlatém míči rozhodl jediný bod!|url=https://www.sport.cz/clanek/fotbal-reprezentace-soucek-vyfoukl-barakovi-dalsi-trofej-o-zlatem-mici-rozhodl-jediny-bod-4270427|titlewebsite=Součeksport.cz|publisher=Borgis|date=12 vyfouklJune Barákovi2023|access-date=13 dalšíJune trofej.2023|language=cs}}</ref> O2024<ref>{{cite Zlatémnews|title=Souček míčiobhájil rozhodlvítězství jedinýve bod!Zlatém míči|languageurl=cshttps://www.sport.cz/clanek/fotbal-soucek-obhajil-vitezstvi-ve-zlatem-mici-5031846|website=sport.cz|publisher=[[Právo]]Borgis|date=12 JuneJuly 20232024|access-date=1312 JuneJuly 20232024|language=cs|agency=[[Czech News Agency]]}}</ref>

* [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] Player of the Year: [[2020–21 West Ham United F.C. season|2020–21]]<ref name=hoty/>

* [[Jan Masaryk#Jan Masaryk Medal|Silver Medal of Jan Masaryk]]: 2021<ref>{{citeCite web|title=Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal presented with diplomatic award for promoting Czech/UK relations|url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/august/09-august/tomas-soucek-and-vladimir-coufal-presented-diplomatic-award|title=Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal presented with diplomatic award for promoting Czech/UK relations|publisherwebsite=West Ham United F.C.|date=9 August 2021|access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref>

[[Category:UEFA Europa Conference League winning players]]