Quite how Soares hasn’t been picked up by a Premier League club yet is a mystery; although Neil Warnock will be pleased he hasn’t
A graduate of the Palace Academy, Soares’ pace and drive make him one of the club’s more exciting talents, although he has struggled with consistency after previous coaches couldn’t settle on his best position.
He burst onto the scene in February 2004, as a 17-year-old, and has remained a key member of the squad ever since. An England U21 cap, he prefers to play in the centre of midfield, where he is able to get on the ball and dictate games, but his inconsistencies came about when he was switched to the flanks by both Iain Dowie and Peter Taylor.
Following Neil Warnock’s appointment as boss, Soares reverted to his favoured role and the 2007-08 season saw a return to his earlier impressive form.