Even during his summer holidays, Tomáš Souček did not stop.
While the Czech Republic captain enjoyed the break with his family and friends, Souček continued to put the work in.
Whether it was going for runs, hitting the gym or even playing tennis with his loved ones, the 28-year-old remained active during his time away from West Ham United. Doing so has allowed him to hit the ground running since returning to the Rush Green training ground earlier this week.
Like the other Hammers who participated in international matches in June, Souček was given additional time to rest and recuperate before the start of pre-season. Now back in east London, the hard work has truly begun, but the midfielder is relishing every moment of it.
“It’s been great to be back,” he told whufc.com. “My holiday was so nice and I enjoyed the time with my family and friends, and I also got a really good rest after we won the trophy in Prague.
“But, even during the days off, I’m still doing something. I like playing tennis and doing other sports, so even when we’re having our holidays I have to be doing something. I can’t just spend our three weeks off on the sofa!
“I want to be fit all the time and it’s better for me that, when I come back in for pre-season, I’ve kept some of the work up and I’m feeling ready to get on with it and be ready for the season.
“The last few days of the holiday, I was looking forward to coming back and seeing all the guys and getting the fitness going again. I like doing the work and being around here, so it’s been a good first week back in.”
While Souček and the likes of international compatriot Vladimír Coufal, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, versatile forward Maxwel Cornet and Brazilian maestro Lucas Paquetá have been undertaking their first few days of pre-season training, the rest of David Moyes’ squad have been continuing preparations Down Under.
The Hammers took part in the ‘Unmissable Football’ tour of Western Australia over the last week, beating A-league side Perth Glory and fellow Premier League Londoners Tottenham Hotspur in a pair of highly competitive pre-season matches.
The senior players who traveled on the tour returned to London on Thursday, had a recovery session at Rush Green on Friday, and will be given the weekend to recharge their batteries before being reunited with Souček and the rest of their teammates on Monday.
“It's only been a few of the guys here for most of this week, with everyone else in Australia," he continued. "It has been a bit different, and it’s felt a bit quieter and more relaxed in that way, but we’ve done good work out on the pitch.
“It’s been good, intense training this week for our group and that will continue when we get back together on Monday."
A short trip over to Vanarama National League side Dagenham & Redbridge awaits the Hammers on Saturday afternoon, with the fixture at the Chigwell Construction Stadium set to give the returning internationals their first minutes of the pre-season schedule.
After an intense week back training, Souček is ready to don the Hammers kit once again and get back out there.
“I’m looking forward to getting back on the pitch,” he added. “The last games I played were internationals and it has been a few weeks since those, and we need the match minutes in our legs to set us up for the new season.
“Saturday against Dagenham is my first opportunity to get some minutes under my belt and I’m looking forward to that.”
