My impression is that some Slavia fans are a bit harsh on Zmrhal because he tended to disappear in the big matches last season. In those matches they often played a completely different system designed to press opponents rather than out-possess weaker teams, so several of their key players against average Czech league opponents (especially Stoch and Husbauer) were often excluded or had little impact in Europe or even against Sparta/Plzen. Unlike Stoch and Husbauer though, Zmrhal was more of a worker than luxury player and does't have the goal/assist stats to make casual fans forget the disappearances in big matches even if he definitely contributed. He is technically limited and more or less the same player he was at 21 from what I've seen, but I think he is definitely good enough for bottom table Serie A. If Ales Mateju can start at Brescia then Zmrhal definitely can (not meant as a insult to Mateju, just objectively comparing).
Koubek moved from Rennes to FC Augsburg: Kind of a so-so move, basically a modest step down in club, but similarly modest step up in League. Also the Zmrhal deal is officially confirmed.
I am confused by Koubek moving. He was Rennes' #1 for the most part, but I guess the german league is a little better. Plus he has Suchy and Moravek there with him, and closer to home.
There was an article yesterday about Vydra, apparently even though Burnley haven't included him on the bench the first few weeks they aren't in a hurry to sell him. There were English offers (I assume Championship) and interest from Besiktas. Strange they would hold on to him as I can't imagine he is really in their plans at this point.
I have seen Filip Novak look like a very good all around left-back for Trabzonspor a couple of times now this season and it makes me wonder where this consistency is when he plays for the national team.
Tactics of his club in Turkey must suit him better. Sometimes players don't transition well to the national team despite being good for their clubs.
Tomas Necid has 3 goals in 4 matches for ADO Den Haag to start the season (he had 11 total last season), and I was also surprised to see that he is still just 29 since he's been around so long. If I were picking back-ups for Schick during our next national team matches it would probably be Necid and Hlozek. (although Czech football hates promising youth too much to ever call someone that just turned 17 when there are plenty of players in their prime out there warming bench seats). In more random Czech abroad news, Zdenek Ondrasek has 3 goals and an assist in his last two matches for Dallas after a very slow start to the season. While I've never thought much of him as a player since he always played in weaker leagues than ours like Norway and Poland, he does seem to have a good attitude and personality so do hope his success continues.
I actually watched the Dallas game last night. Ondrasek isn't good enough for the national team. He scored a few goals, but still isn't producing what he should be in the MLS. Dockal showed how good a Czech can be in the MLS. I'd rather see Necid called up as you mentioned.
Oh for sure, I don't even know if Ondrasek would start at Ceske Budejovice this season, but definitely not a national team player. Still has had a good week and is a fairly visible Czech abroad since this is a North America based website.
Spartak Moscow made Slavia an offer they couldn't refuse. Alex Kral will likely move to Russia for a fee of around 12 Million Euros. No indication that he will reject their contract offer. I understand it financially, but wish Kral had held out for an offer from the west. Our players never thrive in Russia, and often kind of stagnate and get injured.
It's tough. Kral likely is going to triple his wages, and is going to a better league. I am pretty hyped on Kral. He looks like a talent, and I am sure some German club would have come for him in a year. Good news is Spartak is a good team, and if they win their match against Braga today, they will be in the europa league group stages.
A bit surprised he didn't stick around for Champions League, but yeah the money offered (to both club and player) by big Russian teams is always going to be tempting. Slavia's midfield is fairly crowded so he actually has been frequently used as a sub this season which may also have played a part.
For that price it would be an easy choice to sell. Kral was good against Cluj yesterday, but hasn't really stood out much this season. He splits time with Traore, who is the better midfielder defensively even if he isn't as skillful. I am surprised that he is walking away from Champions League, but money talks.
Kral to Spartak is official 310 Million CzK/12 Million Euro. He is the 2nd most expensive transfer out of the league behind Rosiciky. Still not a fan of this transfer, but hopefully Russia treats him better than it did Necid and Kalouda. I believe Teplice get a cut as part of a sale on deal, but still smart business considering they paid 800,000 for him last winter. Soucek apparently asked Slavia to turn down an offer for 20 million from Russia that would have beat the record. He has no interest in moving leagues outside of the top 4 reportedly, except long-term he said America might work for pre-retirement.
Happy for Schick. RB play two strikers now, so he will get plenty of minutes. Poulsen isn't that great, so I imagine Schick will be fighting him for a starting spot.
Still not a big fan of the move, but at least Kral moved right into the starting lineup despite only joining Spartak a couple of days ago, played 90 minutes (in a 1-2 loss to a team I've never heard of though). Vydra actually got in a match, and managed an assist in his 12 minutes.
Completely forgot about Vydra. Still think he should be in the national team fold even as a sub for Burnley. He is a good player, but unfortunately he kind of killed his career with that move.
Krejci scored his first club goal since 2016 in about the least likely way, a header. He is more or less officially used as an attacking left back by Bologna, which I guess is better than always on the bench.
Well, there is a reason Kolar got the 3rd Goalkeeper spot... compare: Keeper under pressure! 😬Ondřej Kolář: I've got this 😎#UCL | @MastercardUK pic.twitter.com/xGWZ7c17j3— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 2, 2019 Goalkeeping nightmare by Koubek for Augsburg today... Surely doesn’t get any worse for a goalkeeper? pic.twitter.com/VsAA3fCw0W— Stuart McIntyre (@stuartgmcintyre) October 6, 2019 I still think Kolar takes too many risks with sweeper-keeper, but its hard to argue with his performance this season, definitely will get some interesting offers.
Kolar has been great, and I was actually thinking why do we keep producing so many good keepers, but nothing else? That is essentially 4 keepers who can be our #1 now.