Player laments ‘what could have been’ had he stayed at West Ham – Report

In January of this year, when Graham Potter replaced the hapless Julen Lopetegui, those Hammers who’d been dispatched by the Spaniard on loans must have felt frustrated not to have been part of the ‘new coach’ era at London Stadium and been forced to watch developments from afar.

In hindsight of course, Potter’s new-era turned out to be an epic fail but youngsters George Earth and Freddie Potts, away on loan in the championship must have felt a long way removed from the ‘Potter revolution” – Freddie alluded to it in his ‘life on loan’ video.

Fast forward to the present day and Edson Alvarez must now be feeling very deflated indeed.

Dispatched by Potter as ‘unwanted’ in the last weeks of the Hammer’s manager’s regime, Alvarez went to Turkish side Fenerbahce because – at least – they had a top coach in Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho was fired two days after Alvarez arrived. The Mexican midfielder was then injured and on top of that had to endure the long-distance agony of seeing the coach who didn’t rate him at West Ham get removed in place of a more progressive tactician.

AS’ Mexican edition today runs the title:

“Edson Álvarez and what could have been in West Ham after the blessing of Espiríto Santo:

The ‘Machín’ left England in search of opportunities; however, he did not expect to let pass one of the coaches who trusts the Mexicans the most.”

You do have to feel sorry for ‘El Machin’ now playing outside of the best 10 leagues in the world, whereas for that few weeks longer he could now be growing under the tutelage of a coach who could help him grow.

At least it is just a season-long loan: I’ll bet that is small consolation for Alvarez just now who has to watch from the other end of Europe as his parent club evolves and he gets left behind.