"He can give us a lot": West Ham coach is enthusiastic about Manor Solomon
Nuno Espirito Santo offered compliments to the Israeli, who joined the Hammers this summer: "We brought him because of his talent. He plays in a position that we were missing in the squad."
Manor Solomon will open a new chapter in his career this weekend, when West Ham travels for an away game against Burnley in the first round of the Championship (Sunday, 18:00). Moments before the start of the season, the Hammers' coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, marked the Israeli as one of the significant additions to the squad and clarified that he expects him to contribute as early as the upcoming season.
Solomon, who joined West Ham this summer, arrived after a period at Tottenham and spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Leeds, where he recorded 10 goals and 12 assists in the league. Last season he played for Villarreal and then for Fiorentina, and this summer he returned to England by signing with West Ham, this time with the goal of helping it fight for a quick return to the Premier League.
Nuno was asked at the press conference ahead of the first game about the Israeli's joining, and he did not spare the compliments:
"We chose him because of his talent. I think he can give us a lot of things."
The Portuguese coach even emphasized that Solomon fills a professional need that existed in the squad:
"He plays in a position that I think we were missing in the squad. During the pre-season we prepared with many different options on the left wing, but we are happy that Manor is here."
Nuno's words may indicate the place the coach intends for Solomon in the formation and his expected status. At West Ham, they hope that the ability he displayed in the past in England, and especially the successful period at Leeds, will be reflected this time as well.
Nuno also addressed the club's continued activity in the transfer market and clarified that Solomon's arrival is not necessarily the end of the process:
"Solomon is here, but we are aware that we need more players. The transfer window is still open and we need to be ready for anything."
West Ham, which was relegated from the Premier League, approaches the season with a clear goal - to return to the top league as early as the end of the season. For Solomon, this is a renewed opportunity to establish himself in English football, this time at a club that knows him well and believes he has the talent needed to help it in the mission. Now, all that remains is to see if Nuno's compliments will be translated into playing minutes and a central role for the Israeli as early as the opening match against Burnley.
