Two youngsters and a sniper from Slavia. Which players can strengthen their place in the national team?

The Czech national team will play its last World Cup qualifying match against Estonia and a friendly match against Kuwait in November. Which players can cement their place in the team at the last meeting of the year?

David Zima

Jaroslav Šilhavy doesn’t have much to choose from at the stopper position. Ondřej Kudel and Čelůstka are not available, so others will get a chance. Next to the experienced Tomáš Kalas, David Zima, just twenty-one years old, should start.

He is still waiting for a proper chance not only in the national team jersey, but also in Italy. He has played only three league games for FC Torino so far, but when he has played he has been positively evaluated. Jakub Brabec is not doing well in Greece, so Zima can claim more playing time on the club scene with a good performance.

Michal Sadilek

In the national team it is often the same as with a rookie in the top competition. The second season is usually harder than the first, but so are the players who impressed at the previous national team meeting. Michal Sadilek will build on his perfect performance against Belarus.

The question is whether he will break into the starting lineup. This year’s stalwart Tomas Holeš returns from injury and Tomas Souček is the captain. He should get at least 20 minutes in both games, so we’ll see how he does.

Jan Kuchta

In the absence of Patrik Schick and Adam Hložek, the coaching staff must look for new alternatives. Šilhavy’s favourites Michael Krmenčík and Matěj Vydra, but also the newcomer Jan Kuchta can be used.

The latter has the best long-term form and is the only one who really plays game after game. He is the ideal choice for defences with poor playmaking, which can be said about the Estonians and Kuwaitis, thanks to his aggressive pressing. Will he notch his first hit in the national jersey?

Source