West Ham United defender Vladimír Coufal has told the Czech media he’s frustrated with his current situation with the Premier League side, but not looking to rock the boat or point fingers.
The 32-year-old has struggled to get playing time this season and this has led to speculation he could move on in the new year.
Sport have covered comments the right back made to Fotbal Extra ahead of the Czech Republic’s UEFA Nations League clash with Albania on Saturday night. Coufal revealed West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui suggested he would get decent chances this season, but as yet this hasn’t been the case.
Coufal went on to say that if his situation with the Hammers continues like this then he wants to consider his future as he doesn’t want to remain on the bench.
“When I talked to the coach (Julen Lopetegui), he told me that he was extremely happy with me. That he is convinced that I will get more minutes, more chances and start playing, that I am a great professional. I can’t say a bad word against the coach, or he has against me, it’s just that we don’t have a good time on the pitch yet. If it should continue like this, we have to sit down and see what to do next. I definitely don’t want to sit on the bench, I still feel like I can play in the Premier League,” said the defender.
Despite being an ever present in the last four games for his country, Coufal has started just two Premier League games all season and has played just 23 minutes in the past seven games.
This has led to reports the veteran defender could move on in the January window, with recent claims Galatasaray are monitoring his situation at West Ham. With his contract due to expire next summer the Premier League club could look to cash in on him during the next window.
