Adam Hlozek shows West Ham what he could bring in Croatia draw
By Tom Gott
Few young players came into Euro 2020 with the same kind of hype as Czech Republic forward Adam Hlozek.
The 18-year-old Sparta Prague forward, known across the globe for his exploits on Football Manager, has been producing the goods on the pitch these days. 15 goals and eight assists in just 19 league games last year is an impressive return for any player, let alone a teenager - and now teams are taking notice.
Fearful that he could explode at Euro 2020, West Ham United have been working tirelessly to try and snap Hlozek up quickly, and in his country's 1-1 draw with Croatia, we saw plenty of reasons why they want him.
Coming off the bench, Hlozek took more of a spark-plug role for this one, and he did his best to provide that. Cutting in from the wing, he showed some excellent footwork and deceptive speed to weave his way into the box, but the cutting edge he showed at club level did not carry over here.
Hlozek brings a level of excitement that isn't always seen in David Moyes' side. He's direct and loves running at opponents, determined to create chances even when there doesn't seem to be any space for him.
He boasts excellent vision when it comes to the channels and makes runs which aid both himself and his team-mates. As his numbers at Sparta show, he's constantly in the right place to either score or assist, and in a West Ham team who don't have many out-and-out scorers either on the wing or up top, that could be key.
While his favoured play style might suit a smaller winger, Hlozek mixes impressive size and physicality into his game. The 6'1 forward is ready to throw his body around when needed, and while he still has some physical maturing to do, he looks capable of holding his own in the Premier League.
His attacking input is all well and good, but Hlozek isn't afraid to track back either. He's by no means an elite defender, but he'll put the work in. He's not a luxury player.
West Ham will hope that they remain at the front of the queue for Hlozek's signature, but a deep run in the tournament for the Czechs could hinder that. Scouts from around Europe are already watching Hlozek and will undoubtedly be keeping a closer eye on him this summer.
If he can continue his exciting progression at Euro 2020, expect more interest in Hlozek than there already is. If you're of a West Ham persuasion, hope your club makes a move soon.