Jacob Steinberg shares ‘smart’ Edson Alvarez West Ham United transfer verdict ahead of Newcastle clash
Convincing Ajax to sell Edson Alvarez for just £35m is looking like “smart business” from West Ham United, according to Jacob Steinberg.
The Guardian journalist, writing in the UK publication’s preview (6 October) ahead of this weekend’s Premier League games shared that the Mexican international has impressively adjusted to the pace of English football and has helped soften the blow of losing Declan Rice over the summer.
The 25-year-old was signed as a direct replacement for the English international who joined Arsenal in £100m+ deal and has certainly adjusted to life in East London, considerably well starting six of West Ham’s games in all competitions.
Steinberg, writing for the Guardian claims the Mexican international has helped West Ham United and David Moyes more “tactically aware” so far this season and he will be crucial for Sunday’s game against Newcastle United (8 October).
He wrote: “Edson Álvarez’s impressive performances since joining West Ham have helped to soften the blow of losing Declan Rice to Arsenal.
“Convincing Ajax to sell the Mexico midfielder for £35m is looking like smart business. Álvarez has quickly adjusted to the pace of English football, providing defensive steel and calmness in possession.
“Tactically aware, he has displayed his intelligence by occasionally dropping back to become a third centre-back.
“It was a sign of the 25-year-old’s importance to his new side when exhausted after flying back from international duty, he was forced off with cramp against Manchester City last month and West Ham soon went 2-1 down.”
Superb addition
When the Mexican international moved across to East London, it was abundantly clear that his transfer was Tim Steidten-driven. Given the German’s experience and market knowledge, it’s certainly proven a superb business right now.
There were so many names listed as a potential replacement for Rice during the summer and there was a point where both Moyes and Steidten were stuck as to who that candidate could be.
However, Alvarez was staring them right in the face given his immeasurable qualities in the same holding role Rice flourished at the London Stadium, but more crucially his experience playing top-level European football.
As per FBRef, over the past year and within Europe’s top-five leagues, Alvarez impressively ranked in the 91st percentile for progressive passes, 93rd for progressive carries and ranked fourth in the Eredivisie last season for the number of dribbles tackled (44) showcasing his destructive and influential qualities in midfield.
So far this campaign, he hasn’t looked out of place in a West Ham United shirt, helping them considerably when building from the back, breaking up opposition play and tremendously screening the back four.
What’s scary but also incredibly exciting for the Irons fans is that they haven’t seen Alvarez at his destructive and metronomic best just yet. He’s still warming up.
In other West Ham news, one London Stadium star could well be forced out by Moyes in January after what he did against Freiburg.