AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has revealed that he feels new signing Julio Soler is a different player compared to the ‘physically elite’ Milos Kerkez.
Soler joined the Cherries in January, from Argentinian club Lanus, but spent a month away at the U20 South American Championship and has featured in just one game for Iraola’s side.
When the Argentine was signed, many felt that he was coming in as the successor to Kerkez, if the full back was to depart at the end of the season.
The Hungarian has played more minutes than any other Bournemouth player this campaign, and it’s rumoured that Liverpool will make a move for him in the summer.
However, with Iraola’s comments today, it seems that Soler may not have been signed as a direct replacement for Kerkez.
Iraola believes Kerkez and Soler have ‘different skills’
Ahead of AFC Bournemouth’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur, Iraola was facing the media, including Nerve Sport.
When asked about Soler and Kerkez, the Spaniard was quick to point out the contrasting styles between the two, he said: “I think they are different players, they have different skills.
“Milos is a more physical player, physically he’s elite, he is up and down and full of energy, and sometimes you have to slow him down a little bit.
“Julio is different, I think technically he's a lovely player.
“On the ball, he has very good deliveries and he understands the position very well.
“The challenges for him in the competitions will be the physicality of the league.”
Iraola clearly believes that Kerkez has a physical edge on Soler at this moment in time, and the stats back the Cherries manager up.
The Hungarian full back has started every single league game for Bournemouth this season, and is in the top 15 percentile of Premier League left backs for progressive carries, emphasising his remarkable levels of fitness.
Soler must adapt to the Premier League
The Premier League is often dubbed the most physical league in the world, and Iraola knows that Soler will have to work on the physical aspect of his game.
“He comes from a very different league, and to adapt to the Premier League he will have to strengthen himself, but you only get it with minutes,” said Iraola.
“For someone that is so young, I like his attitude, he is ready to help whenever we need him, he's fighting for a position.
“He has the language barrier that he has to solve because he doesn’t speak English, with me it’s no problem, but especially with the teammates, I think he definitely needs to learn.”
However, Iraola is aware that it will take time for the Argentinian to adapt, as Kerkez has gone through the same process in the last year.
Iraola said: “Milos’ progressions from the past season to this one has been huge for me, especially mentally, the way he approaches the games, his reliability, and how he finishes the games.
“I think there is a process every player that comes to the Premier League has to go through and for sure Julio has to do his own.”