All of West Ham has been at Michail Antonio’s bedside in recent days. Victim of a serious road accident, the 34-year-old striker suffered a broken leg and will not be available for a long time. It’s a hard blow for the London club, which didn’t really need that. The start of the season was frankly complicated. Julen Lopetegui has even played his head in every match for three weeks, but this is the moment chosen to straighten out the results. The Hammers are still at the bottom of the standings, 14th after 15 days, but have just recorded 2 victories in the last 4 matches.
This is only one less than in the first 11 lifts and one of the men in the surge is named Carlos Soler. After three months at West Ham, the midfielder on loan from PSG (with a purchase option of €20 million) begins to have a string of starts and good performances. Aligned at the top of the middle in front of the Alvarez-Soucek duo, the Spaniard manages to restore some order to the collective balance. His technical precision allows more control to a team which until then lacked it. He takes the game on his own, where Lucas Paqueta has displayed more difficulties since the start of the exercise. Moreover, the Brazilian started the last two matches on the bench.
Soler climbs the hierarchy
But the main victim of this tactical choice is the Argentinian Guido Rodríguez, with a more defensive profile. He had started every match since the start of the championship. Soler took the time, but here he is finally a full member of this team. His loan in the last hours of the transfer window did not facilitate his integration. Lopetegui had even warned him that it would first be a second-hand solution, while he got used to a brand new championship. “Obviously the footballer always wants to play from the first moment, but I had to be patient because there were matches in which I played very little» he notes A.S..
Patience is the mother of all virtues. Soler bided his time and here he is as the new strong man of the Hammers. “I am now four starts in a rowrejoices the 27-year-old. I knew he would give me opportunities… I trust myself a lot, and then I try to give the best of myself. This situation coincided with two victories and two defeats. I don’t know if it’s the best moment of the season for West Ham, but personally it’s because I’m starting. This is what I wanted when I came here.» Better yet, he was also in the starting XI in the victory earlier in the season over Manchester United.
What future for him?
Like a premise for something even greater. A 5-time starter in the Premier League, Soler has had 3 successes (13 appearances in all competitions, 1 assist) out of the 5 in the league. Lopetegui also praises his versatility, he who can play in several positions in the middle. The former Valencian also takes some set pieces. His playing time increases with the importance he takes within this not completely healed collective. “I want to continue to gain confidence, playing matches and playing minutes, that’s what I love and what makes me happy.»The question of its future will then arise.
Soler is only on loan from PSG where he is still under contract until 2027. The French club wanted to get rid of him last summer and will not retain him next year. A purchase option of €20 million was included in the deal. The idea of staying at West Ham could gain ground, he who according to our information feels very well at the club and in England. “Living in a city like London is great. I am very happy here» he points out to A.S. before addressing his contractual situation more concretely. “I’m coming here on loan for a year, and to take advantage of this opportunity. Playing in the Premier League is something I’ve wanted since I was a kid. I love it, but after that I can’t say anything more.»
