David Zima: West Ham could eye another Czech star | OneFootball

West Ham United could bolster David Moyes’ playing squad with another Czech Republic addition before this month’s deadline…

What’s the word?

According to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, the Irons could turn to Slavia Prague defender David Zima as frustrations over completing a deal for Nikola Milenkovic continue.

He told his Patreon page ‘The West Ham Way‘:

“Slavia Prague (where we got Soucek and Coufal from) were knocked out of the Champions League this week. This could present us with some transfer options.

“Firstly in defence, they have a young defender called David Zima. He is only 20 but has already impressed in the heart of their defence and got himself an international cap.

“We could explore a deal for him and his fellow teammate Abdallah Sima.”

Imagine him and Coufal

It’s believed that Moyes’ current priority is the addition of a new centre-back, so if they cannot execute a deal for Milenkovic, then it could be wise to revisit the league where the club have had so much success in the transfer market.

Pairing up Zima with his fellow countryman Vladimir Coufal in defence could be a masterstroke.

The 20-year-old gem is still a raw talent and has never featured outside of the Czech Republic, but having both Coufal and Tomas Soucek around would almost certainly help to smoothen his settling-in process.

He featured 35 times throughout last season, in which he started in some big encounters, including crucial Europa League matches against the likes of Arsenal, Leicester City and Bayer Leverkusen.

Zima kept two clean sheets against the Foxes’ lethal frontline of Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho. Meanwhile, across his ten Europa League appearances, he displayed a very good eye for reading the game, averaging 1.9 interceptions per outing, via WhoScored.

As a result of his fine domestic form, he earned a call-up to the Czech Republic’s Euro 2020 squad, though he did not feature in the tournament.

1 of 10

Can you name all 10 ex-Hammers? First up... He assisted the first goal at the London Stadium but made only 8 appearances for the Irons, who is he?

Havard Nordtveit

Gokhan Tore

Pedro Obiang

Jonathan Calleri

The £6.75m-rated colossus, who stands at 6 foot 3, has been likened to former Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan beast Diego Godin in terms of playing style, whilst football talent scout Jacek Kulig has described him as a “complete and dominant” centre-back, as well as “one of the most talented U-21 centre-backs in Europe.”

Capped twice at international level, Moyes could well secure another bargain from the Fortuna Liga if he completes a move for Zima.

Just imagine him and Coufal alongside each other at the back for West Ham next season. It would be a very interesting prospect indeed.

AND in other news, Moyes may already have West Ham’s perfect Lingard replacement in £18m-rated “magician”…