Another West Ham squad member who divides opinion almost as much as Tomas Soucek- and that’s saying something – has been feted in the international press after his performance overnight in the Concacaf Nations League final against Panama. Lifting his first trophy as an obviously proud Mexico captain, Edson Alvarez also lifted the lid on his own preferred playing positions, having been in the back line instead of his more familiar midfield Hammers’ role earlier in the tournament.
Having suggested yesterday that Alvarez’ future at West Ham may be as part of a back three instead of in midfield, it was interesting to see his own opinions, reported by footboom1.com: in their article which set out that :“Edson Alvarez has emerged as a standout player for Mexico at the Concacaf Final Four”:
“Edson was asked by coach and now analyst Ricardo La Volpe about his preferred playing position. The Tricolor star was clear and concise in his response. “I started as a central defender, and you were one of the first to move me to midfield. I have played as a full-back and even further up the pitch. All I want is to help and contribute where I am needed—I’m here to support the coach.”
Edson Alvarez – Mexico’s winning Captain
So, wherever he’s needed, he’ll go then. Very easy to be so upbeat and contented when you have a trophy in your hand. Interestingly, as a West Ham watcher I was drawn to the paragraph in the report which, despite their victory thanks to goals from Wolves’ Raul Jimenez, labelled Mexico’s midfield as inadequate:
“Mexico looked incapable of sustaining long periods of controlled possession in midfield—especially when playing ahead—relying instead on continually playing long balls, jumping the line hoping the two centre forwards could win duels and make something happen.”
Sound familiar? Indeed, that could have been written about West Ham with Alvarez in the midfield. So West Ham’s much criticised ”hoof ball’ becomes “el hoofball’ !
