Speaking to the Official Matchday Programme, Tomáš Souček discusses his friendship with Vladimír Coufal, his worst scars picked up in matches and the best thing about being a footballer...
Who is your best mate in the West Ham United squad?
"A brilliant first question. It is, of course, my Czech mate Vladimír Coufal! I also have to give a mention to my country neighbour, Łukasz Fabiański."
If you were in charge, what law would change or introduce?
"I know these questions are open to interpretation, and I’m going to apply it to UK rules. I would personally put more money into the NHS.
"I moved to England just a month or two before the first COVID-19 lockdown and it was a difficult time. What I saw being done by the NHS was incredible though. What we have in the Czech Republic is very, very good, but what I saw happening here was incredible and they did an amazing job for so many people."
The manager gives you the weekend off. Where are you going?
"I don’t see us being given a weekend off at the moment, with the games coming as much as they are! But if it did happen, and I could go anywhere, I would go somewhere my daughters would love.
"If we could go abroad, to somewhere warm, it would need to have a swimming pool, but otherwise I’d happily be taking them down to the playground."
What is your favourite animal?
"The number one, for sure, is dogs. I had a dog when I was young and he and my sister were my best friends as a child. I would to have dogs again one day."
Where in the team line-up do you like to stand when walking out for a game?
"Of course, being at the front is the very best! I got to do it a few times during my time with Slavia Prague and I get the honour of doing it for the national team as well.
"If not though, then I would really not mind where I stand. The only place I don’t like to be is last in the line. I know some lads like being the last one to come out for the game but I’m happy to be in the middle."
How did you get your worst scar?
"Was this question written especially for me? I have got many since I came to West Ham United and my wife gets cross with me when I come home from games with more scars!
"If I had to pick one game, I would say the Everton away game a couple of years ago when I got three scars on my face. That was quite a few, even for me!"
Who is the best footballer of all time?
"I would pick Lionel Messi. For this generation, everyone talks about Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. For me, with him winning the World Cup last year, and all his trophies both in a team and individually, he’s the best.
"I’ve played against Messi twice, in the UEFA Champions League when I was with Slavia Prague. It was a great experience."
What was your first and last concert you went to?
"I went to see George Ezra at the O2 Arena a few months ago, and he was brilliant. It was a perfect evening. My wife is a big fan so it was a great night for us both.
"My first concert was back in the Czech Republic, to see a band called Kabát, who are a really popular Czech band."
What is the best thing about being a footballer?
"A lovely last question. For me, it’s playing in front of thousands of people who are with you, supporting you and cheering you on. When you score a goal and you get to celebrate with those fans, and build that connection with them, it’s so special."
