By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Whilst West Ham might have decided to retain the services of Soungoutou Magassa and Edson Álvarez, getting back into the team might not be quite as easy as the players may think.
Claret & Hugh revealed this morning that neither player will be sold or loaned despite several overseas transfer windows remaining open.
That’s one thing. Getting into Nuno Espírito Santo’s team is another matter entirely.
Nuno has rebuilt West Ham’s midfield
Álvarez, of course, is a Mexican international, a Gold Cup winner and has captained his country. Having played for Ajax and been courted in the past by the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, one would expect that he would walk into any Championship side.
However, Nuno has done a good job of rebuilding West Ham’s midfield this season and, if he persists with playing a 4-4-2, it’s difficult to see where Álvarez fits into the equation.
The £22m summer signing Arne Engels was arguably Man of the Match in the Hammers’ 3-0 win against Derby County. Engels is certainly starting to prove my early doubts wrong.
Divine Mukasa is in exceptional form and I would not be surprised to see him named in the Championship Team of the Year.
Scratch below the surface and both Lewis Orford and Mohamadou Kanté have started the season incredibly well. Neither would deserve to be dropped in favour of a couple of midfielders who probably didn’t even want to be here this season.
Indeed, Orford and Kanté have already demonstrated just how much depth Nuno suddenly has in central midfield.
Orford and Kante have impressed in midfield for West Ham
Then there’s the Souček problem
Then you have the Tomáš Souček return, which is probably the most pleasant of problems for Nuno.
The Czech midfielder was a mainstay in Nuno’s team last season, with his goals and effectiveness in both boxes added to his commitment to the team, making him a firm favourite.
There was a point earlier in the summer when Souček’s injury actually looked like it might provide Álvarez with a route back into West Ham’s plans.
The midfield landscape looks very different now.
So tonight’s game against Bolton Wanderers is going to be very interesting indeed. Clearly, Nuno is going to need to indulge in some form of team rotation, but I still don’t see a situation where either Magassa or Álvarez returns straight to the team.
Maybe one at best might make the bench, but I’d even consider that to be harsh on the other players who have performed so well.
Alvarez will find it hard to walk into the West Ham engine room
Álvarez and Magassa have a fight on their hands
Magassa has already made it clear that he wants another opportunity at West Ham following his attempts to leave during the transfer window.
I wrote last week that his biggest problem might be convincing Nuno to give him that second chance. Now I’m not even sure that’s his biggest obstacle.
The players already in the team are performing.
Either way, with both Álvarez and Magassa having played in central defence during their careers, there are other ways Nuno could potentially use them.
But as central midfielders, they’re going to have to fight their way back in.
It’s undoubtedly a very nice problem for West Ham to have.
I wouldn’t play Alvarez this season unless absolutely necessary he’s a liability and is too slow!
End of the day, if either are willing to knuckle down and do their jobs then no problem seeing them on the teamsheet but, as said, the cover in midfield seems more than adequate and considering that’s another 2 goals shipped tonight, think maybe trying one or both in a CB role might be handier.
personally Alvarez is a red card waiting to happen every time he hits the field. yes he is a strong player but when you want your team with discipline he is not the player we would want in the team. it is only my opinion because as soon as he gets the yellow then get him off the field ASAP. players like him are going to make out team weak and i think everyone knows this. if i,m wrong then ok but discipline within the team is paramount
Should utilise both of them in cup game and Alvarez against Millwall as he has some grit.
Millwall could be a feisty game just needs to stay away from cards can’t afford to have anybody sent off.
I think the case for Alvarez and his fiery track record on the pitch and his age apart from extreme injury problems in the team, his career at West Ham is virtually over. With Magassa is on his side and if he can adapt his game to suit the way Nuno wants him to play, he could get back. Especially if a bit later on in the season Nuno feels it it essential to rest key players or he wants someone like Magassa to counter the midfield of opposition.
Both are recognised CDMs and were recruited to be no 6s. None of the existing central midfielders are and have played in the no 8 or no 10 roles. They may well be able to “do a job” in that role but their instincts will not be tuned to sitting in the deeper role, screening the back etc. There will be games where a proper CDM will be an advantage and for balance of the side I see either one of them having a valuable role to play over the next 50 odd games. No point Nuno “cutting his nose” as its all about options and getting promotion. No room for grudges and egos. And works both ways, Alvarez or Magassa play up, disrupt team harmony then off to the “bomb squad” with them