Joe Cole stunned by 'perfect' Edson Alvarez after start at West Ham United

Joe Cole has heaped praise on Edson Alvarez following the Mexican international's impressive start to life with West Ham United.

Alvarez joined the ranks at the London Stadium this summer from Ajax for a fee of £35.4 million [Sky Sports, 10 August] as David Moyes looked to begin to fill the void left by Declan Rice's departure to Arsenal earlier in the transfer window.

The 25-year-old has been in inspired form for the Hammers, making four appearances in the Premier League as West Ham currently sit sixth. Although focus has mostly been on James Ward-Prowse, Cole believes Alvarez deserves just as much credit.

Speaking to TNT Sport (Thursday 21 September) he said: "[James] Ward-Prowse has taken the plaudits because of his ability and what he’s done, he’s been brilliant, outstanding. But don’t underestimate Alvarez.

"He's absolutely perfect… not a replacement for Declan because that would be a tall order. But he can do what Declan did for the club.”

Perfect

It was going to be a near impossible task for West Ham to find a like-for-like replacement for Rice this summer, after all, there's a reason the England international cost Arsenal more than £100 million this summer. But Alvarez looks like an excellent addition at the London Stadium.

Moyes has almost found a way of replacing his former captain with two midfielders as both Ward-Prowse and Alvarez together are producing the goods going forward and in defence to ensure the Irons haven't missed Rice too often this season.

For the Mexican to be fairly compared to Rice, he is going to have to match or even better the England international's achievements and that means bringing some silverware to East London. With how Moyes' side have started the season, there is certainly potential for success both domestically and on the continent this year.

Only time will tell whether or not Alvarez is truly as good as the man he replaced in the middle of the park, but the earlier signs suggest that he has all the skills to be a success in the Premier League and it feels like a very good piece of business.

In other West Ham news, Gianluca Scamacca has picked up another injury having left East London this summer