One of the many criticisms levelled at West Ham United this season has been the lack of leadership on the pitch.
As gifted a player as Jarrod Bowen is, many would concede that Julen Lopetegui’s decision to hand him the captain’s armband may not have been ideal.
By nature, Bowen is quiet and unassuming — probably not the first name that comes to mind when you’re looking for a vocal, inspirational and, when required, demonstrative leader.
That issue has been magnified by recent officiating guidelines allowing only captains to speak with referees. The days of quietly leading by example are gone. If you’re wearing the armband now, you have to communicate.
While all of that may be true, stripping Bowen of the captaincy mid-season would almost certainly do more harm than good.
So instead, Nuno Espírito Santo has begun building leadership across the squad — instilling grit, tenacity and shared responsibility rather than relying on one figure alone.
Recent arrivals Taty Castellanos, Pablo, and Axel Disasi have all added a little extra bite.
But it’s one familiar face who may prove the most important of all.
Souček’s Return Brings Grit Back to West Ham
The reintroduction of Tomáš Souček to midfield feels like a defining move.
Souček isn’t just West Ham through and through — he’s exactly the type of character you need in a relegation scrap.
And it’s not just about selection. Nuno has actively tasked the big Czech midfielder with becoming an on-pitch leader.
Souček himself confirmed: “Nuno wants me to be a leader in the middle of the pitch. He wants me to be the connection with the players. It’s my position here, whoever comes, to make them feel comfortable to come to me, or I can go to them to help them.”
One of football’s great survivors, every time the Hammers appoint a new manager Souček’s departure from the London Stadium is predicted.
Yet he’s still here.
He might not always be the most technically gifted player, but Big Sou is Mr Reliable. He runs, he battles, he organises — and he never hides.
And if West Ham do manage to stay up this season, I suspect he’ll have a very big part to play.
