West Ham: 52-cap star 'not seeing eye to eye with Moyes' at London Stadium

West Ham United star Tomas Soucek has ‘not looked the same player for some time’ and being unable to agree a new London Stadium contract could be a key reason for his underwhelming start to the season, according to journalist Paul Brown.

The Hammers have gone into the international break sitting in the Premier League’s relegation zone thanks to securing just one win so far this term.

Soucek has remained a key component of West Ham’s midfield, having made 10 appearances and registered two goals in all competitions since the campaign got underway last month, but there were doubts over his future during the summer.

The 27-year-old was reportedly told that he is not in line to secure a pay rise and, having put contract talks on hold, Everton, Newcastle United and Aston Villa showed an interest.

Although a move away from east London failed to come to fruition, Soucek has entered the final two years of his £47,000-per-week agreement.

It is understood that discussions over fresh terms were put on hold at the behest of West Ham boss David Moyes during the final weeks of last season.

That led to suggestions of a rift between Soucek and the Scotsman, but he has maintained his place in Moyes’ preferred XI.

Brown believes Moyes would be taking a huge gamble if he opts to drop Soucek and start £12million summer signing Flynn Downes in his place against Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 1.

However, the journalist feels the former Slavia Prague man’s performances have worsened and reports of a feud, along with the inability to agree a new contract, may have been a contributing factor.

Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s always risky to throw any of your kids into a team that’s struggling a little bit, but I do understand the frustration