Hammers midfielder shows who’s boss

Hammers midfielder has become a crucial cog

Suggestions that Edson Alvarez would be dropped to accommodate West Ham’s new signing, Kalvin Phillips, have proven wide of the mark. I don’t mean that as a slight against the Man City loanee, who I suspect will come good at The London Stadium following a shaky start.

Alvarez’s place in the West Ham starting line-up owes everything to his own ability. The Mexican was outstanding against Manchester United, defying the odds. Whilst The Hammers might struggle to score without Lucas Paqueta, the midfield does not function without Edson Alvarez.

Hammers midfielder Edson Alvarez is crucial to West Ham’s success

The signing from Ajax is fast becoming one of my favourite players. Not only does he sniff out danger, but his technical ability is far better than I’d been led to believe. Alvarez would grace any team in the Premier League, and if West Ham are to finish the season well, he’ll be crucial.

As for Phillips… we may see the best of him when Alvarez is unavailable. The midfield duo of Tomas Soucek and James Ward Prowse is awful. As a pairing, they are ineffective and lack the ability to control midfield.

It’s probably not the best time to be lauding the signing of Phillips. However, I suspect he’ll come good eventually, but West Ham’s style of football will require adjustment having played under Guardiola and Bielsa.

For the moment, Alvarez is king and every bit as important as any other player, including Paqueta, Kudus, and Bowen