Tomáš Souček and Declan Rice shortlisted for Premier League seasonal awards

Soucek and Rice

 

West Ham United midfield partners Declan Rice and Tomáš Souček have both been nominated for Premier League seasonal awards.

England international Rice is shortlisted for Hublot Young Player of the Season, while Czech Republic star Souček is among those vying for the EA Sports Player of the Season trophy.

Both have played influential roles in the Hammers’ record-setting 2020/21 season in which the east Londoners achieved a record Premier League points total, number of wins, away wins and goal difference under manager David Moyes.

Souček was one of just two outfield players to be ever-present in the Premier League and used his 3,420 minutes on the pitch to good effect, finishing as joint-top scorer with Michail Antonio on ten goals and winning more aerial challenges than any other top-flight player.

The 26-year-old, who completed a permanent move from Slavia Prague in July 2020, having initially joined on loan in January last year, also led the Irons in a host of other statistical categories, including shots, tackles and interceptions. He also ranked second in passes attempted.

Vote for Tomáš Souček | Vote for Declan Rice

His teammate Rice was also to the fore, making 32 Premier League appearances and, despite not turning 22 until January, captained the Irons on more than 20 occasions.

The young deep-lying midfielder ranked in the top three in a host of statistical categories for the Hammers, including passes attempted, tackles and interceptions, while he also weighed in with two goals and an assist.

Both men are also important members of their national sides and are likely to come face to face when England face Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium in a UEFA Euro 2020 Group D fixture on Tuesday 22 June.

Before then, both will hope to win the acclaim of supporters and a panel of experts in their respective Player of the Year award categories.

Souček faces competition from Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Ruben Dias, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

Dias and Mount are also in competition with Rice, as are his fellow England internationals Phil Foden of Manchester City, Marcus Rashford of Manchester United, Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton, as well as Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Click here to vote for Souček, and here to vote for Rice.

Voting closes at 6pm on Thursday 3 June.


 

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