Football managers often speak in guarded code during press conferences, and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is no different.
While the Spaniard may have begun his Hammers career with a flurry of interviews and media activity, he seems to have caught the “football manager virus” of using many words to say very little.
However, Lopetegui seemed happy enough to lavish praise on new signing Carlos Soler when addressing the press ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Fulham.
I still can’t quite figure out where J-Lo plans to play his countryman, but I have little doubt that we’ll see him feature against the Cottagers. The obvious assumption is that Soler will cover for Lucas Paquetá. However, do not discount the prospect of him playing deeper in midfield and partnering either Edson Álvarez or Guido Rodríguez.
Lopetegui is clearly very pleased with the Hammers’ ninth transfer of a busy window, and he told reporters, “He’s a great player and he can help us in different positions. He’s experienced despite still being a young player.
We’ve worked with him on the training pitch for the last two weeks, and for sure he’s going to help us in the rest of the campaign.”