It seems like one of West Ham United’s most loyal servants in recent years, Tomas Soucek, is going to leave the club this summer.
If reports from Football Insider are to be believed, the Hammers will lose the Czech Republic international to Everton, where former manager David Moyes is in charge.
The midfielder, who has been a key player for the Hammers for a number of years now, has certainly played an important role this season under Julen Lopetegui and, more recently, Graham Potter. Soucek has featured in 32 Premier League games, scoring and assisting ten goals in total.
If he does depart the London Stadium this summer, the Hammers will need a new midfielder. Already, they seem to have identified an early target.
West Ham’s midfield target
The Championship has always been a league from which many Premier League clubs make smart signings, with the Irons perhaps benefiting the best in recent memory, luring Jarrod Bowen away from Hull City.
Well, West Ham might well be set to acquire a similar signing this summer, if rumours of them signing Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill are to be believed.
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According to a report from Footballer Insider, the Hammers ‘have now been alerted to the opportunity to sign’ Brownhill from the Clarets this summer. Potter’s side are ‘keen to strengthen’ in the centre of the park, and the Burnley star could be the perfect option.
What makes this deal even more beneficial is the fact that he could be available on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old’s contract at Turf Moor expires this summer, and whilst Burnley want to agree a new deal, he could well leave for nothing. West Ham’s Premier League rivals Everton, as well as Scottish giants Celtic, are also in the race.
Why Brownhill would be a good signing
What a season it has been for Bronwhill in the Championship. He was pivotal in Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League, helping them to second place in the league despite reaching a century of points.
Well, Clarets matchday commentator Phil Bird certainly believed the Manchester-born midfielder was a standout at Turf Moor this season. He described his performances as “out of this world”, which is high praise indeed.
The stats are certainly there to back up such a claim. Brownhill managed an outrageous 18 goals and six assists. Bearing in mind the fact that he most often played as a number 6 for Scott Parker’s side, those are astounding numbers.
In the final five games of the season, Brownhill was a key contributor, helping the Clarets get over the line and seal automatic promotion.
The 29-year-old scored and assisted seven goals in those matches, including two strikes against Sheffield United in the third-last game of the campaign, which sealed a 2-1 win and confirmed their place in the Premier League next term.
Should the Hammers be able to bring Brownhill into the club this summer, he could finally be a long-term replacement for Declan Rice.
In many ways, their side has felt like it has a void in midfield since his move to Arsenal two seasons ago. After all, he is “one of the best midfielders in the world”, according to Daniel Sturridge.
The England international was exceptional for West Ham during his time at the club. He made 245 appearances, scoring and assisting 28 times.
However, he has since added goals and assists to his game, just like Brownhill has and already has 15 goals and 20 assists in an Arsenal shirt.
Interestingly, the pair are actually statistically similar when looking at the 2020/21 Premier League campaign on FBref. For example, Brownhill averaged 6.23 ball recoveries per game, compared to 7.28 ball recoveries per game for Rice that season.
Passes into penalty area
0.51
0.56
Shot-creating actions
1.89
1.84
Tackles and interceptions
3.64
3.69
Blocks
1.05
1.22
Ball recoveries
6.23
7.28
The similarities between the two are clear to see. On top of all those factors, when you consider both are leaders, with Brownhill captaining Burnley this season, he really does seem like an excellent replacement.
For a free transfer, this does not seem like a deal West Ham can miss out on. They can replace Rice’s quality in the middle of the park and his leadership skills, and sign someone with proven Premier League experience.
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