How fickle are the fortunes of football clubs. And Players. Not three months ago, during the summer transfer window, West Ham United were apparently considering offers for one of their top stars who’d only been at the club a year. Indeed, Claret and Hugh were amongst those voicing our opinion that he was a must keep player. There seemed at that time genuine interest from, amongst others, Manchester United and fans were quick to voice their theories and fears that we were planning on a sale.
Just a few weeks on and the mood music has changed significantly after the dèbacle at Anfield, many now calling for the same player to be jettisoned in the winter transfer window. Edson Alvarez was the subject of Gonzo’s ‘Hammers Must Fight to Keep Alvarez’ article in August which is well worth a read as a recap.
Now following another rash yellow card leading to a sending-off against Liverpool, a suspension which leaves the Hammers vulnerable in midfield and last week’s headlines concerning the ‘threats to kill’, commentators are lining up to call for ‘El Machin’ to be ditched.
From pieces in the media entitled ‘West Ham told to accept Edson Alvarez offer – Fans react’ (footballinsider247.com) it is clear there is a groundswell of opinion that West Ham should now cash in on the players’ value and move forward with a search for a midfielder with a more rational attitude who won’t be a liability in the disciplinary stakes: It is true we cannot tolerate the continued stupidity of pointless yellow cards through dumb tackles and resultant sendings – off.
I wonder whether there is a better midfield solution out there within our budget. Maybe less knee jerk reaction and more ‘education and coaching’ in Alvarez’ case could yet make him a Hammers’ stalwart. He certainly has the aggression but we need this to be a little tempered by first engaging his brain before his feet.