Vladimir Coufal’s frustrations at West Ham United under Julen Lopetegui are becoming increasingly clear.
The 32-year-old right-back has lost his starting spot to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was brought in by Lopetegui during the summer.
Wan-Bissaka has quickly established himself as first choice, leaving Coufal with just 223 minutes of Premier League action so far this season.
With Coufal’s contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, there are growing rumours that he could leave on a free transfer. Given his recent struggles, that wouldn’t be a shock.
His performances have regressed over the past year, and he now looks off the pace for a side competing in the Premier League.
Despite this, Coufal believes he deserves more opportunities.
Coufal Claims Broken Promises
Speaking to Czech media outlet Sport, Coufal revealed his disappointment at not playing as much as he had anticipated, accusing Lopetegui of not fulfilling earlier assurances.
“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.”
To his credit, Coufal remains respectful towards Lopetegui. However, it’s evident that the West Ham manager has not delivered on his promise of more game time.
Time to Move On?
While Coufal insists he’s still capable of performing in the Premier League, his recent displays suggest otherwise. He’s simply not on the same level as Wan-Bissaka, whose defensive solidity and athleticism make him the superior choice.
A January exit could benefit all parties. Coufal would get the chance to find regular football elsewhere, while Lopetegui could bring in a younger, more dynamic right-back to provide genuine competition for Wan-Bissaka.