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Carlos Soler took time to settle after arriving at West Ham in the summer but he now starting to show what he is capable of as he tries to follow in the footsteps of his idols
Carlos Soler grew up watching great Spanish players in the Premier League – and now the Spain World Cup star is determined to make his own mark on English football.
Soler, 27, was an eye-catching signing for West Ham in the final days of the summer transfer window and it has taken time for him to settle. But you could see Soler’s quality and skill in West Ham’s impressive win at Newcastle and the ex-Valencia midfielder believes there is a lot more to come from him.
Soler, in his first major interview with an English newspaper since the move, told Mirror Football: “With continuity, with playing a lot of matches, I will be better and I trust myself a lot. I know I have to show this in every training session and in matches. But as a player, when you know the coach believes in you, you go to the pitch believing it is your moment.
“Then you have to show what you are as a footballer. I have played at Valencia, PSG and with the national team. I know the player that I am. With the confidence of my teammates and my coach, I know I will be better, for sure.”
Soler has won 14 caps for Spain, was in the squad for the last World Cup and graduated from Valencia’s famed academy which also produced the likes of David Silva while he idolised David Villa. He was born in Valencia, grew up as a fan, was scouted as a five-year-old and went on to captain the club he still supports with a passion today.
But he also remembers watching English football on TV with his dad and brother and, in particular, those Spanish players in the Premier League. “I remember Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata, David Silva and Santi Cazorla,” said Soler. “They were players who maybe did not have such big physiques, they had skill more than physicality. But they played a lot of years in the Premier League.
“I watched a lot of matches with my father and my brother. I loved the Premier League and I think it’s better now than back then because now you have so many good players, players who can make a difference and that’s why I wanted to come here and enjoy this league.”
Soler is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, where he went in 2022. It was tough to leave Valencia, the competition was fierce at PSG and he wants to regain his best form at West Ham. “I went to PSG to play with the best players in the world with the likes of Neymar, Messi, Mbappe, Sergio Ramos, Verratti, Marquinhos and it’s every player’s dream.
“But I came here to find again the minutes that I did not get in Paris. With confidence, being on the line-up for three or four consecutive matches then I will improve and produce good, consistent performances. I wanted to find myself again.”
It has taken time for Soler to bed in and get a starting place. But he shone in West Ham’s best result of the season as they triumphed at Newcastle on Monday night.
Soler never had any doubt that it was the best move for him and a chance to play under former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui. He loved the atmosphere at Newcastle, could hear the West Ham fans enjoying the moment and is confident they can carry it on against Arsenal.
He said: “I love these sort of matches. The field was perfect, the grass was incredible and I love this kind of game because I can show what I am. The atmosphere was incredible. Our fans were amazing. For me, when I was on the field at Newcastle, I could hear the fans and they were having fun. They deserve this kind of match and performance we showed on Monday.
“We have to show this more for them because when we play this kind of football, this kind of passion on the pitch, they love it and at home or away, they always support us and create such a good atmosphere. They are with us every time. They make such an incredible effort to go to Newcastle, to go to every game and that victory is for them too.
“Newcastle was a big step for us. We have to make it again against Arsenal, against Leicester, Wolves, we have a lot of good matches and I think we are going to do it.”
Soler has already thrown himself into London life. He and his girlfriend have moved into an apartment near Tower Bridge with views across the city. He wants to give everything for West Ham and also get his career back to the highest level.
He speaks three languages – Spanish, French and English – while he understands Italian. He is eloquent, thoughtful and really enjoys embracing the culture of every city he lives in.
Soler added: “If I play, if I improve, if we all improve then maybe the national team can be a target. I would love to play for Spain again. But my first target is giving my best here. I like London a lot but I don’t like that it gets dark so early! When I arrive home at 3.30pm, 3.45pm, it’s already night time. But it’s fun, it’s a lovely city and you can make what you want of it.”
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