Edson Alvarez proves weak link in dominant West Ham United first half at Freiburg, David Moyes needs Tomas Soucek
Despite a dominant first half performance from West Ham at Freiburg the result is not safe and David Moyes needs to consider taking action at the break.
The Mexican international has adapted to life at the club slower than his fellow midfield arrival James Ward-Prowse and looks like he could be the weak link in the Europa League group game on 5 October.
The £35.4million signing from Ajax [Sky Sports] hasn’t been able to keep the ball safe in the midfield as much as he would like and leaves the Hammers open to being caught on the break by the home side, so Tomas Soucek surely has to be a consideration for the manager.
According to Sofascore live stats Alvarez has the lowest rating out of the whole West Ham side (6.4), and has lost possession three times, while failing to win any of his aerial duels.
He has given away a foul and only won one of his two ground duels, while there has been at least one occasion in evidence so far where he was rescued by the referee’s whistle.
The midfielder hasn’t been a catastrophe but in what looks like it could a tight game Moyes likely needs to turn to one of his favourites in the Czech Soucek to sure up the midfield, and protect the lead that Lucas Paqueta’s header provided early on.
The start was an excellent one but West Ham had the benefit of Freiburg playing nowhere near their best for the majority of the opening 45 minutes.
Moyes will want to consolidate the result in the second period while avoiding injuries to key players, after a series of fouls against some of his attacking stars.
Soucek has been in-form this season in a notable rebound from a poor year last term and despite doubts over his future, but looks like he is going to be needed for the second half.
In other West Ham news, an in-form regular starter has been tipped for an exit from the club within the next year as he faces getting phased out of the side.