Carlos Soler joined West Ham United on a season-long loan on deadline day in the summer transfer window.
His start to life at West Ham was a painfully slow one, and it seemed like we might have signed a dud for quite some time.
However, Carlos Soler has come into his own in recent weeks with some exceptional performances.
The Spaniard has earned huge praise from some high-profile pundits, including his countryman Guillem Balague.
In fact, I found the criticism that Soler received from some West Ham fans earlier this season to be way over the top.
West Ham United's Carlos Soler during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United FC at Vitality Stadium on December 16, 2...
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Not only was Julen Lopetegui playing him out of position, but the fact that he needed time to settle into his new surroundings seemed to be lost on some people as well.
Now we will all realise just how important Soler is.
Carlos Soler blow will hurt more than West Ham fans realise
The silky midfielder has looked like the real deal during our last few games.
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When he left the field against Bournemouth on Monday night, the Hammers lost complete control of the game.
Soler has completely dictated the tempo of the games he has started for the Hammers recently.
And because of that, it will be hard for West Ham to cope against Brighton without him.
The 27-year-old has been in Lopetegui’s starting XI for our last four matches, and our play through the middle of the pitch has been a lot more cohesive as a result.
Losing him for the Brighton game is a major blow – one that many fans are underestimating in my opinion.
When you play against Brighton, two things you must do is keep the ball in the middle of the pitch and cause them problems by turning their defenders around and have them facing their own goal.
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United challenges Carlos Soler of West Ham United for possession during the Premier League match between Newcastle Uni...
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Soler would have been key in regards to those two facets of the game.
The former Valencia man’s passing through the lines is one of the very best around. Meanwhile, he is extremely comfortable when receiving the ball into feet in tight spaces.
He has averaged four progressive passes per 90 minutes for West Ham this season (FBREF), and I believe we will really notice his absence against the Seagulls unfortunately.
You know that famous old saying, ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone’.
That will ring loud and true for the West Ham fans on Saturday when we take on Brighton without Carlos Soler.
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