West Ham United midfielder Edson Alvarez will be heading back to England sooner than expected, but not for the reasons fans might have hoped. The Mexican international is set to undergo rehabilitation at the club’s training facilities after sustaining a thigh injury while representing his country at the Copa America.
Alvarez’s injury, a tear in his left thigh muscle, is a blow to West Ham’s pre-season plans. Initial reports suggest a recovery time of five to six weeks
Neither West Ham technical director Tim Steidten nor manager Julen Lopetegui confirmed a specific timeframe for Alvarez’s return, but both acknowledged the setback.
While Alvarez’s first season with the Hammers was a mixed bag after replacing Declan Rice, his tenacity and defensive grit impressed fans and former manager David Moyes. These same qualities are expected to be valuable under Lopetegui’s leadership.
There is a silver lining, however. West Ham will directly oversee Alvarez’s rehabilitation, ensuring a controlled recovery process. Additionally, there’s optimism that Alvarez might recover quicker than anticipated and be ready for the start of the Premier League season.
A speedy recovery for Alvarez would be a welcome boost for the Hammers’ midfield, easing concerns about his absence during pre-season training.