West Ham are set to intensify their pursuit of Spain and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler, according to breaking reports.
The Irons have been major spenders this summer, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s arrival marking their eighth signing under Tim Steidten. However, the season opener defeat against Aston Villa highlighted that further transfer business might be necessary, with Soler now on the radar.
Despite a calmly dispatched penalty, Lucas Paqueta struggled at the London Stadium, and there were times when West Ham found it difficult to make key passes. Julen Lopetegui likely noted the need for a central playmaker, as the current midfield options appear lacking despite substantial reinforcements this summer.
Whilst Steidten has strengthened the defence—with Wan-Bissaka joined by Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo—West Ham seems to be short in the central area, as evidenced by big Tomas Soucek being used as a No. 10 in the final minutes of the game.
Although James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, Soucek, and Guido Rodriguez provide a solid midfield base, there remains an opportunity to add a creative spark. Carlos Soler could be the answer.
Still think not bringing in a younger striker could be a mistake
For Brazil Paqueta played deeper next to a CdM in a 4231 formation.
Could we have Paq & Rodriguez side by side, with Bowen, Kudos & summerville in front, Fulkrug up top.
sounds good to me
Yeah that’s what I’ve been saying for a while now
Maybe against the bigger clubs would be Alvarwz and Rodriguez but I do think Paqueta at 8 would be my choice
Hard to play a possession based game with Soucek as your centre midfielder. His passing is atrocious. Not that there’s not a place for him if you’re chasing a goal and have to resort to going a bit longer. However, I do think Soler would be a great addition in the centre of the park. Desperately need a player who can get his foot on the ball. Also, Antonio was awful. Seems like he’s made of Teflon.
Agreed. He has no place in a team that wants to play a possession based, progressive style.
We also miss Alvarez hugely when he’s out.
Spot on, Tony. Soucek cannot pass for toffee and needlessly gave away the corner for Villa’s first goal. Together with Paqueta having a mare of a game and getting booked stupidly booked (again!), the midfield was poor yesterday especially in the 1st half. Antonio was shocking as well. I’d like to see Kudus tried up front with Summerville on the left wing
I actually thought Souchek was one of our better players. Paquetá was terrible in that game. Couldn’t pass for toffee. Kept giving balls away in dangerous positions. How can he be brilliant one game and so bad the next. Paquetá is sometimes a liability. Shame we didn’t sell him when he was worth 85 million.
Shocking tbh
The subs came on way too late, something that was always a Moyes tactic.
Completely agree.
Antonio to finish game (20 mins) not a starter.
Is it too late for us to agree on £40mill for Jhon Duran or has the price now gone up a bit more? It couldn’t have gone much better for Villa if they wanted to rub our noses in it! Fullkrug seems only a Halfkrug so far. Maybe that’s why he cost about half the price of a young Duran. Ok, yes I know it’s early days and our German striker didn’t get much opportunity but I hope we don’t regret not aquiring a younger guy up front.
Reality setting in, maybe. We were all optimistic (maybe still are) about this season, in view of the new manager & signings; but so far (only one game against a very good side) it seems like more of the same old West Ham – unreliable & fragile. Early days, yet, & plenty of time for it all to come together; but there are players in this side who shouldn’t be in it if we want to challenge for honours. I don’t think that our defensive problems have been sorted; we need at least two more capable defenders. A young, dynamic striker is a priority, & the midfield needs to get a grip of the game. We have a very good squad; we need to get it together, identify the starting lineup & get a grip on the game. But, not get despondent about yesterday’s game – it is early days – there is time (& a need) to improve. I think that we can get there.
Woeful, so much like last season with the same players and same deficiencies. The substitutions were a worry. I didn’t care in pre-season KWP and Soucek both on the pitch at the same time but this shouldn’t happen in a competitive game.
I felt sorry for Füllkrug he’s a traditional CF so needs support. That’s not a happening thing with the midfield he had behind him.
I see in the articles this morning news of a hurry up on Soler but I would think a hurry up on Fofana would be more the go given yesterday’s showing.
Agreed Andy. JLo was too passive and reactionary around the 65th minute stage of the match, Emery was progressive and his substitutes were the difference whereas our substitutes were like for like and nothing changed apart from the shape that left us even more exposed to counter attacks.
K ockayne you were watching the same game as me! My sentiments exactly we need to give them time to bed in but Lopetegui must not play coufal soucek or Antonio unless he has no other option! We need to play our full strength team every match from now on.
We should try and buy Duran on a loan to buy deal for the £40m Villa want it’s not exorbitant nowadays for a decent centre forward?
Would Villa really let him go on loan? Even with an obligation to buy I doubt it
Would we get a discount on Duran if we offer them Danny Ings back? 😂
Get Soler in. Even Tammy, if he has grown up since his Bristol City days.
Time for the ‘pearl diver’ to show. Get with the beat Timmy. Move on the ‘Moyes boys’ and get the class in.
COYI
Seems like whole Duran episode has turned on it’s head.
Prior to game so many saying to expensive and not played enough.
Now throwing arms open and almost offering what it takes.
His actions after scoring were just one big ego trip.
Just because of one goal.
Well, @Jeeps, can’t say I blame him celebrating his goal, under the circumstances. £40mill? He’s telling us he’s worth it! And after his cameo it certainly looks like he is. Can you just imagine our team with Duran in the middle and Summerville on the left with Bowen on the right? Fireworks!
Don’t want to see soucek or jwp in a West Ham shirt again ! They are beyond **** ! , fact ! you can’t play either one of them , both don’t have nothing by way of defence nor do they effect our attack, neither one ever in a space to receive the ball and never in a position to defend. They slow play down . Soucek is a complete donkey and can’t pass a ball 5yards, where jwp apparently known for his set pieces “ is ****e at it ! They need getting rid of soon as !!! Get soler in fast because we simply can’t go into another match we either of them in the line up , if anything I’d be trying to get a deal done that involves a swap plus cash to get them both out
We lack legs in the middle of the the park . We clearly don’t have a peak kouyate let alone a rice . Were paying for Sullivans indeciveness last summer in keeping hold of Moyes . Passing over forfana for JWP was lunacy. JWP is a good player but he wasn’t what was needed.