An injury-plagued underdog or a Fortuna League star who is paying the competition. Which players can secure a place in the national team in September?

The Czech national team will play two Nations League games in September, with mainstays Tomáš Souček and Patrik Schick ready for the matches against Portugal and Switzerland, but also players who are waiting for a chance. Who are they and why can they break through?

Jindřich Staněk

Some might say that Tomas Vaclik is the clear number one of the national team, but Olympiakos is not doing well at all, winning only two out of 13 games and Vaclik is not having the best season of his career. Not even close.

Moreover, Stanek is at his current ceiling. He has been magical especially in the Champions League qualifiers, the progressions through Sheriff and Karabakh were largely thanks to him. If ever there was a time for a change in goal, it’s now. On the other hand, we know how Vaclik can shine in the national jersey.

Václav Černý

Everyone would have wished for this guy. Year after year he battles injuries, but when he is on the pitch he entertains the crowd. He entered the new season with flying colours, scoring four times in seven Eredivisie games for Twente and adding one in the Conference Preliminary Round.

The Czech Republic has been lacking a similar winger with quality in one-on-one duels for a long time, which should be clear when comparing his form with rivals Jakub Jankt and Adam Hložek. Cerny has to play, he is medically fit and in good shape.

Lukáš Kalvach

Like Cerny, he has been performing for the national team for a long time, but instead of injuries he has been hampered by competition for his position. Tomas Souček and Holeš have a solid place in the squad, when Holeš filled in in defence, young Michal Sadílek caught the chance.

Now, however, Holeš and Sadílek are injured and given Jaroslav Šilhavy’s style of play, who likes to put two defensive midfielders side by side, Kalvach has a unique chance. We can’t say the last, but if he fails, the Sadílek, Souček duo can operate together for another five years.

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