Several Hammers have been off competing in friendlies or competitive tournament football. In advance of the FIFA club world cup, Niclas Fullkrug has been part of Germany’s losing UEFA nations league campaign, finishing in fourth place in a dispiriting play off loss against France in a 0-2 loss.
For Hammer Edson Alvarez, the results were mixed in his side’s 1-0 victory over Turkey, after the disappointing 2-4 weekend capitulation against Switzerland. However the media response was distinctly tepid, with Alvarez described as ‘overwhelmed early on‘ according to ESPN.
Reputed journalist Julio Rodriguez took to twitter /x after the game and demanded Alvarez be removed from his starting midfield role, suggesting instead that ‘El Machin’ be started as a less exposed centre back, in pairing with Johan Vasquez.
Whether it was last summer’s injury sustained on international duty – who knows – but Edson Alvarez seems slower, less suited to the midfield enforcer role as West Ham fans have witnessed – all too often – last season. Extended spells on the bench with a back injury cannot have helped maintain fitness at the en dot the season.
Perhaps it is time for Potter to heed the observation from across the Atlantic and extend Alvarez’ career at London stadium by using him as a centre back where he will be less vulnerable: Either that or bite the bullet and sell him as part of the rebuild of the heart of West Ham’s squad.
Linked just last month with a move to the Bundesliga, perhaps it is time to take the cash and allow Alvarez to move on, along with his mammoth collection of yellow and red cards stashed in his kit bag.
Oh Martin, your last comments about cards make me wonder and ask myself, what position were you playing of you had played. The only thing I read from your article is critising, grow up man.
He should play as the third CB and can push Into MF to allow a formation shift from 5 at the back to a 4.
Haven’t seen those in game switches yet, which were Potter’s USP before.