It’s Sunday morning and I thought time for a bit of Hammers’ controversy. After all, it is the international break, there’s no cloud of doom after a West Ham defeat or short-lived euphoria after a streaky win to celebrate. However, an article from the international arena does deserve an airing, as Graham Potter could make a change at West Ham which could have huge rewards based on a tried and tested template – by Mexico.
Now I realise I am going to contradict Gonzo’s opinion here which is always dangerous territory. But Edson Alvarez played for Mexico on Thursday as a centre back in the middle of a back three and by all accounts acquitted himself with distinction ( If we ignore the penalty conceded-dodgy VAR deprive in the 9th minute, eh ,Edson!)
It would be clear to most West Ham fans that Alvarez is too slow to compete in the upper echelons of the Premier League as a midfield enforcer. Whether this is following his injury of last summer, who knows, but his pace is lacking and especially alongside other slow stodgy midfielders Soucek, Rodriguez, Soler , Ward Prowse or Irving – suffice to say the midfield is not fit for purpose.
If Potter adapts Alvarez to become a Hammers centre back, ( bearing in mind Alvarez has over 60 international caps as a centre back) he has cover when Aguerd returns from loan, meaning Mavropanos can be sold, and a whole new centre midfield of youth, pace, combativeness and creativity can be recruited.
All four of those characteristics are lacking at present.
So, a ‘win-win’ – the Hammers get their fourth centre back without paying a penny, space is created to bring in new faster younger midfielders and the Mavropanos money can go towards Edson’s replacement.
Alvarez as a centre back, eh, Gonzo? That’ll give you sleepless nights. Alvarez did keep the much-lauded Jonathan David quiet as you wrote yesterday – when he was playing as – a centre back.
