Ad. mobility (1/2):
His body frame/running style is decidedly awkward, his stop-start is not explosive by any means, but the issue gets overstated. I remember Daily Sport having a coach of professional runners pinpoint him as a potential top notch 800m runner. Seems on point.
His body frame/running style is decidedly awkward, his stop-start is not explosive by any means, but the issue gets overstated. I remember Daily Sport having a coach of professional runners pinpoint him as a potential top notch 800m runner. Seems on point.
While not a great north-south runner and sprinter, he's one of the smartest players I know (Czech or not) when it comes to lateral movement and coverage. He doesn't need to be out there catching anyone out of breath; and he's hardly ever out of breath too, often topping 11/12km.
Ad. positional sense/awareness:
More to that point above — Souček has built his game on superior anticipation, knowing he doesn't have the pounce (his former partner Alex Král has, eg.) and so simply needs to be one or two steps ahead of everyone. And he sooo often is.
More to that point above — Souček has built his game on superior anticipation, knowing he doesn't have the pounce (his former partner Alex Král has, eg.) and so simply needs to be one or two steps ahead of everyone. And he sooo often is.
(2/2)
That's why I never think of him as a tackler, let alone a bulldog-esque, aggressive type of a holding midfielder. It's not that he couldn't do it, and it's certainly not because he wouldn't be proactive, he just sort of always jogs into the right area.
It's unfair really.
That's why I never think of him as a tackler, let alone a bulldog-esque, aggressive type of a holding midfielder. It's not that he couldn't do it, and it's certainly not because he wouldn't be proactive, he just sort of always jogs into the right area.
It's unfair really.
Ad. aerial prowess:
So this is, in fact, my fav thing about him: when you look at Souček, you see a tall fella who'll naturally dominate in the air. But it's better than that; given the mix of anticipation + reach + timing, he often just leaves people motionless, on their heels.
So this is, in fact, my fav thing about him: when you look at Souček, you see a tall fella who'll naturally dominate in the air. But it's better than that; given the mix of anticipation + reach + timing, he often just leaves people motionless, on their heels.
(2/2)
You notice on att corners, the "awkward Souček" routinely disappears and turns into the most agile of the lot. Again, it often seems as though nobody marks him, even though *everyone* must be well aware of him. He shakes loose, never "outjumps" a cross; a legit cheat code.
You notice on att corners, the "awkward Souček" routinely disappears and turns into the most agile of the lot. Again, it often seems as though nobody marks him, even though *everyone* must be well aware of him. He shakes loose, never "outjumps" a cross; a legit cheat code.
Ad. passing/technique (1/3):
I'd say even rival fans would nod along till now. Now we are coming to the interesting part where Souček divides opinion. He's just not elegant, not always stylistically pleasant to watch, and therefore — conventionally speaking — technically adept.
I'd say even rival fans would nod along till now. Now we are coming to the interesting part where Souček divides opinion. He's just not elegant, not always stylistically pleasant to watch, and therefore — conventionally speaking — technically adept.
As for technique, yes, the limits are there, and he's (in theory) a very pressable holding midfielder with little to no tricks, quick moves up his sleeve.
Then again, thanks to his awareness, he almost never hugs the ball and helps his team so much with those little exit passes.
Then again, thanks to his awareness, he almost never hugs the ball and helps his team so much with those little exit passes.
Coming to passing, I'd argue (and smarter people have argued already: footballbh.net/2019/11/25/tom…) he might be slightly underrated. He can hit a precise diagonal, a flat, accelerating one too, though he does have games where he gets a little too cocky while spraying the ball forward.
Ad. roles to play (no. 1 — DM)
While he carries more intrinsic value, Souček ultimately makes for a great insurance at DM if needed. Often with Slavia on the backfoot (which, erm, isn't often), he'd drop bwn both CBs, clear a few balls, and inject some confidence into the side.
While he carries more intrinsic value, Souček ultimately makes for a great insurance at DM if needed. Often with Slavia on the backfoot (which, erm, isn't often), he'd drop bwn both CBs, clear a few balls, and inject some confidence into the side.
Ad. roles to play (no. 2 — a balancing CM)
Thanks to his smarts, Souček knows when to sit back and cover, and when to push on. If you can have him arriving late to the box, you're arguably set for getting the most added value from him and a cross between Fellaini/peak Kouyaté.
Thanks to his smarts, Souček knows when to sit back and cover, and when to push on. If you can have him arriving late to the box, you're arguably set for getting the most added value from him and a cross between Fellaini/peak Kouyaté.
^^^
That's about all I have, but before I go, one caveat:
Souček's best years overlap with Slavia having a very smart coach and attacking & defending (& moving) like one man. They hardly get outnumbered, they dictate.
Can Moyes provide that basis? Another matter altogether. 🤷🏽♂️
That's about all I have, but before I go, one caveat:
Souček's best years overlap with Slavia having a very smart coach and attacking & defending (& moving) like one man. They hardly get outnumbered, they dictate.
Can Moyes provide that basis? Another matter altogether. 🤷🏽♂️
