Edson Alvarez faces axe for West Ham United v Chelsea after what happened last week
Julen Lopetegui cannot afford to play Edson Alvarez in midfield if West Ham are to get a positive result against Chelsea on Saturday (21 September).
The Mexican international has experienced a slow start to the 2024/25 campaign, having only returned from injury against Crystal Palace but starting every game since.
Despite playing 82 minutes against the Cottagers, paired up with Guido Rodriguez at the base of midfield, Lopetegui may have to think about deploying his partner by himself against the Blues instead.
London World [15 September] slammed the midfielder, writing: “Not the midfielder’s finest day. Sloppy early on and didn’t really manage to shake that despite enthusiasm – somewhat of a bull in a china shop.
“A misplaced pass early on presented Pereira with a decent opportunity and Alvarez was ghosted past by Smith-Rowe ahead of Jimenez’s goal. Booked in the second half for a nasty challenge on [Joachim] Andersen.”
Edson Alvarez to face axe ahead of West Ham United v Chelsea?
Hopefully, the Spaniard will not make that same mistake as his side welcome Enzo Maresca’s team to the London Stadium, with the potential to claim their second victory of the Premier League season.
Before his return from the sidelines, Alvarez had not played a single minute of football since June, when he was substituted off after 30 minutes of international football against Michail Antonio’s Jamaica.
While he is well-known for his yellow-card offences, picking one up at Craven Cottage, the midfielder seems sloppier than usual, which could be dangerous against Chelsea.
Alvarez completed zero per cent of his dribbles, just 25 per cent of his attempted long balls, and could only win 54 per cent of his ground duels and 50 per cent of his aerial duels in the middle of the park [FotMob].
In addition to this, the Mexican committed three fouls, was dispossessed twice, and missed 40 per cent of his tackles. Bull in a china shop? Running around like a headless chicken? Both seem accurate.
It will be seen as a major risk for Lopetegui, but having proceeded the display with zero per cent tackle completion and 33 per cent of ground duels won against Manchester City [FotMob], it might be one worth taking.
Also, after axing Lucas Paqueta against Fulham, Lopetegui has shown he is not afraid to make the big calls at the London Stadium, so Alvarez should be concerned.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui and Danny Ings talks emerge ahead of Fulham clash.
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