Edson Álvarez may have ended last season as something of an afterthought in Graham Potter’s West Ham midfield—but he’s currently front and centre for Mexico.
Álvarez is very much in the shop window for his country, having captained Mexico into the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals. The Hammers midfielder has played in all three of Mexico’s matches, scored once, and worn the armband as he looks to leave his West Ham woes behind.
It’s easy to look at the Hammers’ poor season—particularly in midfield—and conclude that the club no longer have any truly saleable assets. But Álvarez is once again showing what a quality player he is, and probably highlighting that the issue lies more with West Ham than with him.
That said, Graham Potter’s decision to revamp the midfield with more energy is the right one. Álvarez could easily thrive in a midfield three with a creative playmaker and a box-to-box athlete beside him.
Unfortunately, when played alongside the likes of Ward-Prowse, Souček, or Rodríguez, there’s a clear lack of dynamism in the centre of the park.
Edson Alvarez is thriving away from West Ham
West Ham are unlikely to make a profit on the £30m+ paid to Ajax for Álvarez, but he’s not doing his reputation any harm. While there’s an argument to be made that players should be resting after a long season, the 27-year-old CDM hasn’t played much Premier League football—and now he’s back on the global stage.
Everyone’s talking about Kudus and Aguerd—but don’t be surprised if a bid for Álvarez lands the moment Mexico’s Gold Cup journey ends.
This only clarifies what a lot of people have been saying about Potter HE should never have been there in the first place