West Ham United defender Vladimir Coufal has suggested that he’d get nowhere near Liverpool’s starting XI.
Coufal has been a good signing for West Ham, impressing at right-back since arriving in 2020. But despite being a fully-fledged Czech Republic international, the 30-year-old has told The Athletic that he’s aware of his own limitations.
“Not everyone is good enough to play for Manchester City, Liverpool or a team like this to win trophies,” said Coufal.
“When I was in Czech Republic I won a lot of trophies. I won the domestic league three times and the Czech cup. Maybe I am not good enough to play for the big teams, but I am good enough to play for West Ham and I am doing everything I can to lift the trophy here [the Europa Conference League]. It would be the best trophy I could win.”
Honesty is always the best policy, Vladimir!
Coufal talks himself out of Liverpool running
As Liverpool potentially search for a new right-back this summer, Coufal has already taken himself out of the running. Not that he was ever at all likely to be in it.
Despite his self-depreciating comments though, the Czech is actually a really good player. Undoubtedly a little more sturdy at the back than Trent Alexander-Arnold, he’s also put up 11 Premier League assists in 82 games. That isn’t terrible.
In fact, had he been several years younger, maybe he wouldn’t have made all that bad-a back-up to Trent.
Seemingly satisfied with his status in the game, dependable and solid, Liverpool could do with someone like Coufal to take the heat of Alexander-Arnold at times.
Mentality is the key point here, though. To play for one of the top teams the West Ham man mentions, you have to absolutely back yourself, all the time. Any shred of doubt that you can make it at the top level and you’ll be eaten alive.
So, maybe if Liverpool can find a player like Coufal but with the mentality to match, they might just be in business.