West Ham’s decision to include Edson Álvarez in their official 2026/27 squad photograph has raised questions about the Mexican midfielder’s future under Nuno Espírito Santo. However, Claret & Hugh can reveal that his appearance in the picture does not reflect his involvement in first-team match preparation.
Speaking to three separate sources, Claret & Hugh has been told that Álvarez, Soungoutou Magassa and Maxwel Cornet only participate in the fitness element of training with the senior squad at Rush Green. Once preparations turn towards tactics and the next Championship fixture, all three leave the main group.
Instead, the trio resume training with West Ham’s Under-21s. Although they remain registered first-team players and appear on the club’s official squad list, their current training arrangements suggest they remain firmly outside Nuno’s immediate selection plans.
West Ham Squad Photograph Does Not Tell The Full Story
The official squad photograph released by West Ham features Álvarez alongside his teammates, despite the midfielder having played just 75 competitive minutes this season.
Those minutes came in the Carabao Cup victory over Portsmouth in August. He has not featured in a Championship matchday squad since the campaign began.
Magassa and Cornet are in a similar position, with neither having made a Championship appearance this season.
There is nothing particularly unusual about contracted players appearing in an official team photograph. However, the information we’ve received from three sources at the club provides a much clearer picture of their current standing. A club insider informed us “It’s not what you think, I wouldn’t read too much into it. Alvarez is not really part of the group”.
West Ham squad photo including Edson Alvarez
Claret & Hugh Reveals Size Of Mexican Álvarez Offer
As Claret & Hugh previously reported, West Ham rejected offers for Álvarez during the summer transfer window while attempting to secure a better deal for the Mexican international.
The Hammers were initially seeking around £15million and remained hopeful that a substantial offer would arrive from Mexico towards the end of the window.
Claret & Hugh can now reveal that the Mexican proposal was worth just €2.5million up front, with a further €2.5million in potential add-ons.
That was substantially below West Ham’s valuation and explains why the club was unwilling to sanction a departure on those terms.
Álvarez ultimately remained at the London Stadium, alongside Magassa and Cornet, with all three now facing uncertain futures ahead of the January transfer window.
Indeed, Claret & Hugh reported earlier this week that the trio could be among those leaving when the transfer market reopens.
For now, the message is fairly straightforward. Álvarez may be standing alongside Nuno in West Ham’s official team photograph, but that should not be mistaken for a return to the manager’s matchday plans.
It’s incredible that a manager who is unable to man-manage can get a job anywhere. The cost to the club is enormous, forget what we are going to lose on these three, there’s Fullkrug Tobido JWP and others
Surely it is more cost effective to sack this one and get someone in who is prepared to sit down and work things out…… especially after the Newcastle fiasco tgat caused the Tobido fall out was created by the manager’s extremely poor tactics as he tried to ensure we were relegated
What is the rationale behind them not being involved? If its a relationship issue with Nuno I’m not sure we’ve ever had a manager who has fallen out with so many players over such a short space of time.
Baffling.
more players that fall out with Nuno, Magassa and Alverez are better than players in the squad.
The only people who suffer long term are the supporters, just so Nuno can entertain his own ego.
Alverez was playing at the world cup getting mom performances, and hes definitely a better defender than Kilman..