Lopetegui’s bold statement about Soler spells trouble for two key West Ham players

Imagine how Julen Lopetegui must be feeling ahead of West Ham’s trip to Fulham.

 

When it comes to selection dilemmas, the Hammers boss likely has a major headache.

 

For many fans, the choice of who should lead the attack in a fully fit West Ham squad this season boils down to either new striker Niclas Fullkrug or Jarrod Bowen.

 

Lopetegui has stated that he will give Fullkrug until today to decide whether he’s fit enough to play after picking up a knock while on international duty with Germany.

 

If Fullkrug isn’t ready, it will narrow Lopetegui’s options, but it won’t necessarily make choosing the starting lineup any easier.

 

With so many new players to integrate, Lopetegui is still searching for the ideal system and squad balance.

 

There have been glimpses of improvement under his management, and West Ham performed well in parts of their match against Manchester City.

 

However, the central midfield is where Lopetegui faces his biggest dilemma.

 

West Ham’s midfield boasts several strong options: the ever-reliable Tomas Soucek, enforcer Edson Alvarez, impressive new signing Guido Rodriguez, Lucas Paqueta, Paris Saint-Germain loanee Carlos Soler, and potentially even Mohammed Kudus.

 

With only two or three midfield spots available, this creates a challenging puzzle for Lopetegui to solve.

 

However, recent comments from Lopetegui about Soler suggest that two established West Ham stars could be in trouble.

 

Lopetegui’s bold statements about Soler might spell bad news for Paqueta and Soucek in particular.

 

Paqueta has made Lopetegui’s job more difficult, but not for the reasons many might expect. Since the middle of last season, the Brazilian has been far from his best form.

 

With his future set to be determined by a three-person panel due to an investigation into betting allegations, Paqueta seems distracted.

 

Lopetegui has shifted him back into a central role, but Paqueta has not delivered, and given the wealth of midfield options available, his position in the squad is far from secure.

 

When Lopetegui arrived, many expected Soucek to be the biggest casualty. However, Soucek has continued to start matches and contribute at both ends of the pitch.

 

 

Despite this, he was benched against Manchester City, and many fans believe this could signal the beginning of his transition into a squad player rather than a regular starter.

 

Alvarez, for his part, seemed like a guaranteed name on the team sheet for many.

 

 

However, his form dropped in the second half of last season, and some speculate that he may have been angling for a transfer during the summer before suffering an injury that ended his Copa America campaign.

His frustration was evident when he was substituted in recent games as he continues to work his way back to full fitness.

 

Meanwhile, Rodriguez has made an excellent start to his West Ham career and appears to be a bargain acquisition on a free transfer.

 

Having done nothing to lose his place, Rodriguez seems secure in his position, leaving the competition between Paqueta, Alvarez, Soucek, and Soler for two remaining midfield spots in the medium to long term.

 

Lopetegui has admitted that Soler didn’t have a typical preseason with PSG and is behind some of his teammates in terms of fitness.

 

However, he has also made it clear that once Soler catches up, he will be a regular fixture in the starting lineup.

 

This poses a significant threat to the spots of both Soucek and Paqueta or Alvarez. Soler’s ability to play in both defensive and attacking midfield roles gives Lopetegui more flexibility.

“It’s been good working with Carlos since he came in, and helping him understand the way we want to play,” Lopetegui said in a press conference ahead of the Fulham match.

 

“He’s a good player, at a good age, and he can help us in different positions.”

 

Lopetegui’s high praise for Soler last week further suggests that the Spaniard is poised to become a key player.

 

“I think Carlos Soler is a good player and he is going to help us, for sure,” Lopetegui said after West Ham’s defeat to Manchester City.

 

“He is maybe at his best age, as he’s 27, he has international experience and is a very good player.

 

He has a good profile for us as he can play in different positions, and I think he is going to help us be better.”

 

The fact that Lopetegui is positioning Soler as a crucial part of his plans for West Ham’s midfield is telling.

 

It seems inevitable that Soler will become a starter once he reaches full fitness.

 

This means that Soucek, as well as one of Alvarez or Paqueta, could be at risk of losing their place.

 

Competition for places is said to be healthy, and in this case, it could indeed raise the standards in West Ham’s midfield.

 

The fight for starting roles could drive improvement, especially in what is arguably the most competitive area of the squad.

 

On paper, a midfield trio of Paqueta and Soler alongside a defensive-minded player should be ideal.

 

However, can West Ham really afford to leave out either Alvarez or Rodriguez? This is the kind of decision that managers like Lopetegui are paid the big bucks to make.

 

It will be fascinating to see how it all plays out and which players rise to the challenge.

 

The battle for places in midfield will begin in earnest as West ham face Fulham on Saturday.