Xabi Alonso hails ‘complete’ Edson Alvarez as ‘fundamental’ to West Ham United
Xabi Alonso has hailed Edson Alvarez as a “fundamental player” for West Ham United after the Hammers’ Europa League quarter-final defeat against Bayer Leverkusen.
Alvarez was suspended for the Hammers’ 2-0 defeat in Germany but started in the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.
Alonso was impressed with what he saw from the Mexican – both in that game and since his move to England.
Speaking after the clash, as shared by All Futbol MX, he said: “He has adapted very well to the Premier League coming from Ajax; I know him very well and I have followed him.
“You can see the importance he has in his team, he is a very complete player, fundamental for West Ham.”
West Ham United are elevated by Edson Alvarez
It is certainly clear to see that Alvarez improves West Ham both in and out of possession and they sorely miss him when he is absent – perhaps as much as talismanic forward Jarrod Bowen.
In fact, the midfielder has featured in 27 of the Hammers’ 33 Premier League games this term and the team has failed to win any of the six in which he did not play a part, recording three draws and three defeats.
The Mexican is an aggressive combatant off the ball, averaging 2.3 blocks and 1.55 interceptions per 90 in the Premier League [FBref].
He is equally important for the team on the ball, too, taking 21.37 touches in the defensive third per 90.
There is not another midfielder quite as rounded as Alvarez in the West Ham squad – Tomas Soucek lacks his guile, Kalvin Phillips is low on confidence and James Ward-Prowse is a naturally more advanced player.
Acquiring or developing a player with a similar skill set to either partner or provide cover for Alvarez will be high on the Hammers’ priority list, given their present reliance on him.
In other West Ham news, Ivan Toney is reportedly more likely to join the Hammers than Arsenal or Chelsea.
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