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An unlikely partnership seems to have formed between West Ham and Slavia Prague over the last two transfer windows.
After the acquisition of Tomas Soucek last January, a transfer which proved pivotal in West Ham’s survival in the Premier League, David Moyes’ side have also welcome Vladimir Coufal from the Czech capital.
With the performances of Ryan Fredericks failing to impress last season, the introduction of Coufal has strengthened West Ham’s right-hand side.
Against Manchester City, Prost International’s Tom Hardy decided to hone in on the Czech’s performance.
An early block on a Sergio Aguero cross set him on his way. Last week he’d been faced up against Heung-Min Son, and struggled in the first half as Spurs ran riot, this weekend’s task was no easier.
Raheem Sterling lined up opposite the full-back, with the Englishman interchanging places with Sergio Aguero or Phil Foden throughout the game.
The 28-year-old brings qualities you’d associate with someone his age; experience, game management and tactical understanding.
An early challenge on Sterling set the tone for their battle throughout the match. Coufal even provided the winger with a wavering arm to remind him this wouldn’t be an easy afternoon.
West Ham’s opener arrived on 18 minutes and both of the Hammers’ Czech’s were involved.
Soucek set Coufal to cross into Michael Antonio, who acrobatically volleyed home.
The assist followed last week’s contribution at Tottenham, where the ten-times capped Czech defender delivered a low cross which Davinson Sanchez diverted into his own net.
His style of play is simple and will be appreciated by West Ham fans; win the ball.
The former Slavia Prague full-back presses aggressively and aims to win the ball back early. Cutting ahead of Sterling on multiple occasions, his determination go down well with the West Ham faithful.
Improvements can still be made. The desire to win the ball can restrict him in one on one situations. This was displayed when Joao Cancelo attacked down his side, the Portuguese defender faking to cross on his right before turning onto his left, Coufal committed to blocking the first attempt and ultimately missing the cross.
His battles with Cancelo continued throughout the match. The defender was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 51st minute for a foul on the City man before his weaknesses one against one reared their head again.
A simple knock and run for Cancelo saw him blister past Coufal, before delivering to substitute Phil Foden to equalise.
Suddenly a quick search of his name on Twitter would see results turn from ‘Coufal is the best RB in the league’ to ‘Coufal needs to wake up’.
That’s the cruel reality of the Premier League.
A strong first half display can be quickly eradicated by one lapse in concentration.
He wasn’t the only West Ham player to fall for a Cancelo fake, multiple players went to block a shot on the edge of the box and were left sliding.
Coufal’s lack of recovery speed will be a concern however, former Juventus man Cancelo always seemingly the winner of their respective battle in the second half.
The combative nature of the player meant challenges continued to be made and his long throw is an obvious attacking weapon to utilise.
Phil Foden’s runs in behind Coufal conveyed City had identified his weakness. Despite his struggles, the Czech was around to get important touches of the ball inside his own box.
In fact, the defender impressed when the game was in front of him as a covering defender, often being found in the correct position to either intercept or clear.
Kevin De Bruyne’s introduction is an unpleasant sight for any defender but Coufal responded well to the challenge, first tackling the Belgian before intercepting minutes later, a break which led Pablo Fornals away for a late chance.
Sterling should have punished the Czech’s positioning when Arthur Masuaku was caught in possession but failed to finish, another reminder of the pressures of the Premier League.
Coufal and his defence survived the late onslaught to hang on for the draw. A result which West Ham will be delighted with after a tough second period.
For Coufal, there are lessons to be had. There’s no doubt that he can provide strength to this backline and his aggressive defending can often be effective, but against the league’s best, the overcommitting nature of his play must be improved.
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