With nineteen players leaving West Ham since the summer of 2025, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is virtually unrecognisable compared with the ‘oldest squad in the Premier League’ which Moyes, Potter Steidten, Sullivan and Lopetegui built between them.
In particular, the ‘slow stodgy’ midfield of Rodriguez, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse and Soucek has been dismantled – thankfully – with only Tornado Tom surviving the cull. Only Rodriguez has been sold – Ward Prowse has a half -season loan at fellow strugglers Burnley whilst Edson Alvarez was loaned to Fererbahce in January with a purchase option set at €22 million.
Second chance for Edson Alvarez – but in the Championship?
It now looks increasingly unlikely that the Turkish side are remotely interested in forking out about £19 million to make his transfer permanent and at this rate Alvarez, still recovering from ankle surgery, will come limping back in June ahead of the Summer World Cup. According to sportwitness.co.uk:
“On February 7th, we relayed news from Turkey that Fenerbahçe tried to send him back to Nuno Espírito Santo’s side in January. This clearly didn’t please the former Ajax man.
Fenerbahçe are unlikely to make Álvarez’s stay permanent, at least for €22m. Therefore, he has to return to the Premier League side, and both the player and West Ham have a decision to make in the summer.”
Quite how Alvarez would fit into Nuno’s side remains to be seen: Only after the club’s top flight status has been determined could the manager and Chairman decide on his future. Depending on whether the Irons have to sell Mateus Fernandes to balance the books or in the event of relegation, ‘El Machin‘ could suddenly find he has a role at London Stadium once again next season.
Slow Souchek who happens to be the fastest man at arriving late in the box to score vital goals.
Providing that we stay up, any returning players (excluding the youths) should be sent to train with the U21s., or by themselves.
We now have unity in the dressing room. Let’s keep it that way!
I have always rated him, there should a place for him in our midfield next season
Totally agree
As do I.