Date: 3rd June 2022 at 3:01pm
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Tottenham Hotspur have been offered the chance to sign West Ham United midfielder Tomáš Souček.

What’s the word?

That is according to Football Insider, with the Czech Republic captain’s future at the London Stadium uncertain, having been unable to agree terms for a new contract amid reports of a falling out with David Moyes.

The same report says that according to a Spurs source, the midfielder has been offered to Antonio Conte’s side, confirming that there is a good chance that Souček will leave the Irons this season.

The 27-year-old is valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, and would likely cost Spurs around that value, despite the midfielder only having two-years left on his deal, due to the fact he would be potentially joining a competitive and historical rival.

An improvement in midfield

Souček has been used to playing in a midfield two with Declan Rice for the past two seasons, and should seamlessly adapt to that transition under Conte, with the Italian manager also tending to favour two deeper holding midfielders.

And his current midfield partner has high praise for the former Slavia Prague man.

“He runs, he is strong, he is athletic, good in the air and he gets in the box,” said the England international.

“He does everything you want a midfielder to do.”

However, the Czech Republic star would likely be a more productive player than Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, and that reason alone might entice Spurs to make their move. 

The current West Ham man, once dubbed “unplayable” by Yannick Bolasie, provides much more of a threat in front of goal than his Danish counterpart, having produced five goals and one assist in the Premier League this season, in comparison to Højbjerg’s two goals and two assists according to FBref.

This works out at a goals per game ratio of 0.15 for Souček, whilst Højbjerg comes in at just 0.06, according to the same stats provider.

Højbjerg’s passing accuracy (89.4%) may be more impressive than Souček’s (77.7%), but the current Irons man’s attacking threat can cause opposition teams trouble, having taken 92 touches in the opposition penalty area this season, in comparison to Højbjerg’s 34 according to FBref, suggesting that the Dane is unlikely to create much of an attacking presence in comparison to his Czech counterpart.

He is also a very capable holding midfielder if need be, producing 49 blocks and 55 interceptions this season according to the same stats provider, whilst also winning 41 tackles this campaign.

The Czech international’s versatility in being both that extra attacking body, or that holding midfielder when under pressure would be ideal for fit for a midfield partnership in Conte’s midfield two.

Souček’s performances have earned him a WhoScored rating of 7.02 for this season, showing that he is a high-level and consistent performer.

Spurs might not have expected to be offered the chance to take a first-team midfielder off a direct rival, but he would improve Conte’s side significantly in the middle of the park, and he would definitely be worth the investment to boost Spurs’ chances in next season’s Premier League and Champions League.

In other news, Talks underway: Spurs eye world-class 38 G/A talent, imagine him Kane under Conte – opinion

 

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