Claret and Hugh’s article yesterday suggests West Ham are close to re-integrating midfielder Edson Alvarez within the matchday squad after the Mexican appears to have settled whatever issues he had with Nuno Espírito Santo.
However, that in itself creates something for a problem for the Hammers’ boss who now has an embarrassment of midfield riches to call on. Alvarez and Soucek will both be hopeful of returning to involvement following their respective absences but the present incumbents Mukasa and Engels will be hard to displace.
Behind the two ‘starters’ lie Kanté and Lewis Orford, both players for the future and well-used so far this season, neither letting their coach down.
Kante – value rocketing – and a future star for West Ham to hang onto
Soungoutou Magassa still hopes for a restart of his own career whilst young Keiber Lamadrid (who harbours hopes of being a central player too) will surely be way down the pecking order.
Clearly seven – or eight – into two doesn’t go: Even if the suggested change to a three man midfield accounts for either Soucek or Alvarez making the line up occasionally, the Irons are over-stocked with midfield players and will surely divest themselves of a couple in the winter.
Watch for the first hints from Nuno’s team selections against QPR, Lincoln and Swansea: Whichever one fails to make the bench -You’d feel most likely either Magassa or Alvarez – will surely be on the way out of the door in January to fund a purchase elsewhere in the squad.