Soler admission is ‘crazy’, it’s not really what West Ham fans want to hear
Carlos Soler arrived at West Ham United last summer and has made a better impression on the squad than the majority of his fellow arrivals.
The midfielder came over from Paris Saint-Germain and with a high reputation as a Spanish international, pressure was on immediately to deliver.
While he has not exactly set the world alight, he has shone brighter in an underwhelming Hammers campaign than many of the other players captured in the net of the now-departed Tim Steidten, whose recruitment drive had fans on the edge of their seats some months ago.
Carlos Soler admits he is not recognised in London
Soler was quoted in The Sun (7 February, page 49) by Andrew Dillon as claiming he is barely ever recognised around London.
That is a fact probably music to the ears of the player himself, who can leisurely go about his business without the mobbing he may receive in a smaller city which lives and breathes football.
While Soler is likely to be discussing Central London rather than the estates of the East End in which he would likely be offered a crisp lager or double pie, mash and liquor, it remains surprising.
Dillon’s point may even be stretching to games themselves at the London Stadium – all fans can be guilty at times of being unsure who a relatively new player is if they spot them dashing across their stadium car parks.
If that’s the case and Soler is rarely spotted at games, it’s crazy. It could be an indicator that the 28-year-old has not done enough notable during his short stint in the Premier League to be recognised, despite reports the Irons and PSG are discussing a permanent deal (Daily Mail, 20 January).
However, it would alternatively be more likely just a sense of indifference towards many of the squad given the poor season compared to expectations.
West Ham still have time to end the season well
Soler will have been hoping for more match action this season and is hoping so under Graham Potter. He has started just 11 of his 19 Premier League appearances during his spell in England so far, though impressed in Monday’s defeat to Chelsea (3 February).
As for the Irons as a whole, their lowly position of 15th is hardly indicative of a new era and this fresh chapter of London football that was billed last summer.
It is essentially a trial and error system – West Ham want to reach the next level but have gone backwards. Potter has bided his time to accept the job at a club he clearly feels he can progress, and Steidten has said his goodbyes.
Eventually, the Hammers can reach the right formula of staff, players and chemistry. For now, there are 14 games to try and respectably finish in the top half of the table.