West Ham told to bin Tomas Soucek and two other first-XI stars as exodus begins – Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted West Ham must be “ruthless” when deciding the futures of stars like Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell this summer.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, urged the Irons to bring in “young, fresh talent” in the transfer window after a dismal campaign.
Sources told this site on Tuesday (18 April) that West Ham are preparing for a “changing of the guard” this summer – with Coufal, Soucek, Cresswell and Pablo Fornals possibly set to move on.
The Irons want to refresh their squad if they secure Premier League survival this season – and long-serving left-back Arthur Masuaku has already completed a permanent move to Besiktas.
Despite reaching the semi-final of the Europa Conference League, David Moyes’ side have endured a dismal 2022-23 campaign.
West Ham sit 15th in the top-flight, four points above the drop zone.
When asked if the likes of Coufal, Soucek and Cresswell have outstayed their welcome at the London Stadium, Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think so, yeah.
“Sometimes players can be at a club too long and it just becomes a bit dry – it happens.
“Players age, players lose their legs – and West Ham need to bring in some young, fresh talent who can get around the pitch better.
“It’s been a tough season and now they need to make these big decisions. There can’t be any emotional connection with the players.
“They have to be ruthless when they make these decisions.”
In other news, Premier League club pull plug on Declan Rice deal – new West Ham asking price revealed.