West Ham United have grown in confidence ever since their European triumph in the 2022–23 season. They were forced to sell their club captain, Declan Rice, in the summer, and everyone thought that this might lead to a downfall. David Moyes is an experienced manager and made some crucial signings during his time at the London club. Most of these signings were to improve all the areas on the field.
One of the signings made by the manager was Czech Republic international Vladimir Coufal. He has strengthened the right side of the defence. This season, he has grown in confidence and is creating goals for his side. Let’s take a look at what the full-back has added to his game in the current season.
The 31-year-old Czech international is ever-present in the defence for the Hammers. He has played in eight league games and one game in the UEFA Europa League. Coufal performs a lot of defensive actions on the ground. He contests 7.5 defensive duels, 1.9 aerial duels, and 2.23 loose ball duels per 90 minutes. The interception rate per 90 minutes is 5.47.
Vladimir Coufal has also shown his discipline and not given away a lot of fouls. He is yet to be booked and has only given away four fouls.
The creative side
Vladimir Coufal makes bursting runs down the flank to take the ball in the attacking half. A total of 18 progressive runs have been made by the player, and a few came from inside the attacking half. He has a dribble success rate of 58.3%, with the most successful dribbles coming in the attacking half.
Vladimir Coufal has already contributed with four assists in the current season. From just 10 shot assists, four chances have been converted by the teammates. The Czech international averages 32.6 passes per 90 minutes and has a 72.4% accuracy rate. These include 2.63 passes to the penalty box, but the accuracy rate is a bit low at 38.5%.
Last season, Coufal only had one assist to his name. There is a significant difference in the passes delivered into the penalty box. His shot assists ended on the edge of the six-yard box in 2022–23. This season, these passes have landed around the penalty spot.
West Ham United are eyeing a European place and also aim to win back-to-back European titles. In his first season, Coufal provided seven assists. This is his highest tally for the Hammers, and he will look to surpass it in the remaining season.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine