Recruited at the very end of the summer transfer window, Carlos Soler has shown shortcomings since his arrival at PSG. But is it only a level problem for the Spaniard?
This season, the PSG failed to meet targets. Eliminated in the round of 16 Champions League et French Cup, the club from the capital will have the sole objective of validating a historic 11th title of champion of France in French football. And the quality of the bench has played a big role in the disappointments suffered in recent weeks. However, the Parisian club had spent nearly €150m last summer, but most recruits do not satisfy the image of Carlos Soler. Recruited for nearly €20m (€17m + €5m bonus), the Spaniard arrived on the last day of the summer transfer window from Valence and initialed a contract until June 2027. Experienced player of Liga and club captain Thatthe Spanish international was seen as an attacking solution behind the untouchable trio Messi-Mbappe-Neymar. But with a lack of preparation and a first adventure abroad, the 26-year-old player did not express the full extent of his talent. Indisputable holder at Valence, Carlos Soler notably played the first three matches of Liga this season (243 minutes and 1 goal), but the contractual situation of the player, who had one year left on his contract, allowed the Spanish leaders to realize a nice added value for an element which had been evolving since 2016 with the first team of the Valence CFhis training club.
Decisive but transparent in the game
However, in terms of numbers, Carlos Soler is the fourth most decisive player behind the attacking trio Lionel Messi (18 goals, 17 assists), Neymar Jr (18 goals, 16 assists) and Kylian Mbappe (31 goals, 7 assists). With 6 goals and 3 assists, the former Valencian has been decisive in his 27 appearances this season (1,189 minutes). However, these statistics are not enough to hide an insufficient performance on the ground. Often transparent, the native of Valence had a hard time finding his bearings in a team where individualities take precedence over the collective. In his defense, number 28 of the PSG is not used at a fixed position by Christophe Galtier. Most often used off the bench (only 14 starts in 30 matches, including 3 matches played in full), Carlos Soler played in central midfield (7 times), attacking midfielder (6), right midfielder (4) and even left midfielder (1) during his tenure. A change of position which prevents him from finding automatisms with his partners.
The 26-year-old also needs time to adapt, as he is having his first experience away from Valence : “It’s not easy to leave my home, where I’ve spent my whole life. But I wanted to leave, take a step and go to a huge club, one of the biggest inEurope, and fight to play as much as possible and win titles. I am happy now. I had a little learning curve, but in the last month I’ve been able to play more, I’ve helped the team… It’s been better”he said in particular last December.
A trust issue?
And with a competition that does not exist within the Parisian attack, Carlos Soler struggled to string together matches and regain rhythm, which partly explains his absence from the gathering of spain during this international break. But the problem may lie elsewhere. Interviewed by us, the journalist from the daily AS, Andres Onrubia Ramosthinks the player lacks confidence due to his undetermined role in the team of the PSG : ” Re Carlos Soler, I think it’s more a lack of confidence than a lack of talent. THE PSG is a team that demands performance from day one and is a player who has stood out more in the box. When he played he was far from the box, so he was quite limited. But I don’t think he doesn’t have the level for a club like the PSG. » Still under contract until 2027, Carlos Soler has gone from being an indisputable holder and a centerpiece of the Valence CF to a player off the bench used irregularly. As proof, after his good performance against the Brest Stadium (2-1), he could not continue due to muscle discomfort. Complicated first months for the Spaniard like most summer recruits like Fabian Ruiz, Renato Sanches or Hugo Ekitike.
Do you think Carlos Soler still has a future at PSG? Can its current level be explained only by a lack of confidence? Share your opinion in the comments.
Statistics 2022-2023 by Carlos Soler
- Ligue 1 : 18 matches played including 10 starts (844 minutes) – 3 goals and 2 assists
- Champions League : 6 matches played including 2 starts (155 minutes) – 1 goal
- French Cup : 3 matches played including 2 starts (190 minutes) – 2 goals and 1 assist
- Liga : 3 matches played including 3 starts (243 minutes) – 1 goal
*Source : psg.fr
