Julen Lopetegui has been backed by the transfer market this summer, with technical director Tim Steidten having approved a £120m signing for West Ham United following the departure of David Moyes at the end of the 2023/24 season.
However, the Spanish specialist made four bench appearances in the Premier League opener against Aston Villa last weekend, a 2-1 loss to the Irons.
There's more to come from this rich crop of players, but Lopetegui could still see one or two more through the door, considering a smart midfielder.
It's a deal we can pursue, ensuring that forward Niclas Fullkrug has the tools to succeed.
Why West Ham signed Niclas Fullkrug
The supporters may have gone home after watching West Ham lose at home to Villa, but at least Fullkrug got his first taste of Premier League football, replacing the struggling Michail Antonio after 70 minutes.
He didn't catch the eye, but the German player will continue to grow stronger. The problem, or one of the main problems in any case, was that he lacked work.
Fullkrug was signed from Borussia Dortmund in a £27m package this summer to bring goals and steel up front, netting 16 goals and 10 assists for the Yellow Wall last term before lighting it up at Euro 2024.
|
Niclas Fullkrug: Statistics for Euro 2024 |
|
|---|---|
|
Key Stats (*per game) |
# |
|
The same (begins) |
5 (0) |
|
Goals |
2 |
|
Shots* |
1.8 |
|
Contact* |
12 |
|
Key passes* |
1.4 |
|
Total winnings* |
2.2 |
|
Statistics with Sofascore |
|
His performance for his country showed his innate clinical ability, and as he finds his rhythm in the coming weeks, Lopetegui's side will feel the benefits.
But they could need another midfielder. James Ward-Prowse has been linked with a move and played just 16 minutes for Unai Emery's side, so West Ham may be wise to act on their summer interest in Carlos Soler.
Why Carlos Soler will succeed at West Ham
According to the Daily Mail last week, West Ham are considering a swoop for Soler this month, with the Spaniard surplus to requirements at Paris Saint-Germain.
Costing €20m (£17m) by the Ligue 1 champions, Soler will add dimension to the Hammers midfield, open up creative channels and ensure the London Stadium players are adequately supplemented.
Soler may have started just 12 games in Ligue 1 last year but he is fighting for a place in a squad full of quality and could find a promising new home in east London.
|
Carlos Soler: 23/24 Mathematical Division |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
at 90 |
Percentile |
|
Goals were scored |
0.17 |
Up to 13% |
|
Resources made |
0.17 |
Up to 19% |
|
An attempt was made to pass |
63.51 |
Up to 19% |
|
Continuous passes |
6.10 |
24% higher |
|
touch (att pen) |
2.59 |
Top 7% |
|
Statistics by FBref (against midfielders) |
||
Soler's efficiency has seen him impress with his strength in front of goal, scoring and assisting, and this would be a great addition to Fullkrug, who is creative and can continue the Spaniard's goalscoring success, ranked among the top 12% of centre-forwards in the top five leagues. in Europe last year to get 90 assists, according to FBref.
PSG's versatile ace also completed 88% of his passes in the French top flight last season, underscoring the sharpness of his passing which will improve the overall smoothness of Lopetegui's attacking sequences.
He was even called “the perfect midfielder” by former Valencia player Curro Torres, such is his quality in all aspects of the role.
He has difficulty surviving the rigors of the Premier League, and has the ability to ensure that a striker like Fullkrug, of the traditional mold, is given the right service to step up and score in lethal fashion.
Related
Antonio's development: West Ham favorites have signed an exciting “goal machine”.
Lopetegui has work to do after losing his first Premier League game in charge…
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