While much of the focus in this country has been on the exploits of Ireland players ahead of this week’s World Cup play-offs, a few footballers in the Czechia squad have been performing to an incredibly high level in recent times.

Patrick Schick has continued to impress in Germany, scoring 15 goals in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen. That includes a brace in his most recent outing over the weekend. Vladimir Coufal has also experienced a career renaissance since his move to the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim, while goalkeeper Matej Kovar has been very in excellent form since joining PSV Eindhoven.

In saying that, none of them have been more impressive than a certain Lyon player.

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Red Hot Czechia Star Has Sights Set On Ireland

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Pavel Sulc joined Lyon from Viktoria Plzen for a fee worth up to €10million last summer, a deal that already looks like a serious bargain for the French side.

The attacking midfielder has been one of the standout performers in Ligue 1 this season, registering 15 goals and ten assists in all competitions. He will now be aiming to play a starring role in his country’s quest to reach a first World Cup since 2006.

Sulc had some injury concerns in recent weeks, missing four games due to a hamstring injury. However, he would make his return last week, going on to score in Lyon’s 2-1 loss against Monaco at the weekend.

Speaking in the aftermath of that game, the 25-year old said there was no doubt that he would be available for the game against Ireland despite his injury issues (h/t Irish Examiner):

I wanted to have a match-load so that I would be ready for the match against Ireland from the first minute.

But actually, even if I didn’t play a minute for Lyon, I would be ready for the Irish.

Of course, I had in my head that the injury wouldn’t come back. It’s great that I’m fit – I’m in good physical shape…

When I got the news from the doctors immediately after the examination, their prognosis was about 15 days.

Unfortunately, it stretched out a little longer. After three weeks, however, I started training with a fitness coach, last Thursday I was able to play for 20 minutes in the Europa League.

Along with Patrik Schick, Pavel Sulc is likely to offer the main attacking threat in the Czech side on Thursday night. He is certainly someone that Ireland will be aware of on the back of his exploits in France in recent months.

Having gone two decades without playing in a World Cup, there is no doubt that Czechia will be just as focused for this game as their Irish counterparts.

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