West Ham Online

"West Ham United is delighted to announce the signing of Mexico international Edson ?Ålvarez. The 25-year-old has joined the Hammers on a permanent contract until June 2028 for an undisclosed fee, after the Club fought off strong competition from other top European clubs to bring him to London Stadium. A strong and versatile midfielder, ?Ålvarez moves to English football from Dutch club Ajax, where he won two Eredivisie titles, and less than a month after winning his second CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico. Capped 69 times by his country, ?Ålvarez has extensive European experience with Ajax and is now looking forward to playing Premier League and UEFA Europa League football with West Ham. ‚ÄúI am very happy and very proud to be here,‚Äù said ?Ålvarez, who speaks fluent English after learning the language during his four-year stay in Amsterdam. ‚ÄúBeing here in London and seeing London Stadium, it‚Äôs amazing. I can‚Äôt wait to play here in front of the West Ham fans. ‚ÄúIt‚Äôs a hugely sentimental moment for me in my career. To join a club like a West Ham is a dream for me and my family. ‚ÄúThe Premier League is a special league, the best league in the world and I think my style will suit it. I now have a responsibility to West Ham and the West Ham family and I will give absolutely everything for the shirt.‚Äù Manager David Moyes is looking forward to working with a player who ranked first in ball carry distance and second in pass attempts in the Eredivisie last season. ‚ÄúWe‚Äôre really pleased to add Edson to our squad,‚Äù he said. ‚ÄúThe midfield area was one we were especially keen to strengthen this summer ‚Äì and Edson will complement the other options we have in that department. ‚ÄúHe‚Äôs an experienced international player, who has enjoyed great success for both club and country during his career to date. ‚ÄúWe‚Äôre excited about welcoming to West Ham and seeing him play his part in English and European competition for the Club.‚Äù ?Ålvarez will wear the 19 shirt at West Ham United."

"We won't hear anything about him at all, same with Paqueta. The club/Moyes stopped giving out updates and timelines on injured players a long time ago, it's like they are protecting cold war secrets, all very much cloak and dagger, I don't think other clubs do it. For me it's just another way of Moyes showing disrespect to the fan base, he will know that we want to know but won't say anything."

*deems

"And there we have the key to Alvarez’s mystery injury. Like pretty much the entire modern world, he doesn’t understand why he should be taking care of a player Moyes deals is more likely to “nab” the odd goal."

Cant remember were I saw or read it but speculation that the Alverez injury may mean he is out for quite a while? Didn’t take it too seriously at the time but seeing the scramble top get Philips in it may have had some merit. Club haven’t said anything much about Alverez as far as I know? Think like everyone im hoping that Moyes is going to drop Soucek if Philips comes in and all are fit to start but even im skeptical when it come to big Tomas…………

"Yeah, I know we'd all prefer it if Soucek doesn't play at all. The way Moyes sees it, if we're chasing a game, he's more likely to nab a goal than Alvarez. Which is true really."

OK. By “no apparent reason” I mean he’s been playing his nuts off taking care of Soucek. So why hook him rather than the Bambi in the middle?

"on an injury site I follow, it has him down as having a calf/heel/shin problem, currently being assessed. who are they waiting to assess it, don't we have a medical team? shit like this makes me suspicious, especially still being owned by that disgusting midget cսnt sullivan. appearance contract anyone?"

"""series of early showers in games for no apparent reason"" Not really. The few times he's been subbed off has been when we've been desperately chasing the game or the game has already been won. Moyes rightly gets stick for his use of subs but there's nothing to see here."

"Has quickly emerged as a key player so the mystery injury is a concern, especially as it has been accompanied by a series of early showers in games for no apparent reason. Should be forming a partnership with the new man Philips, so what is going on?"

"Hands up I wasn't convinced at first, but yes looks the real deal and plays a very important role. Also love his attitude, apparently he was raging after the Fulham and Liverpool, while Cresswell was worrying about his hair. Type of character you want."

"I fully expect the January transfer window media to be peppered with comments like ""How very DARE pikey, barrow-boy uppity oiks West Ham have players like Alvarez, Kudos and Bowen in their team!!!!??? They need (NEED) to be at a big club.*"" So. Which ""big"" club can they step up to and enjoy Europa league football after Xmas and the chance for a pop at the Champions League next season? * - ""Big being one with the most generous media hospitality budget."

Excellent signing. Two Bob at Man U must have forgotten he and Kudus existed. Better than all of the shit he’s bought.

"What an excellent signing this fella has been. He is one of those non-flashy midfielders who provides excellent protection to the defence and never puts in less than a 7/10 performance. His best work is often done off the ball. Yesterday, I think he put in a 9/10 performance. Simply superb."

"The Uzbekistan game (3-3) was around midnight last night in Atlanta, Georgia again on some artificial pitch. He will be late back and playing two games in a few days on artificial pitches wont have helped. Hopefully ok as we will need him against this lot"

Mexico play again on Wednesday morning against Uzbekistan in the States… these friendlies really are a waste of time! Won’t be back into London until Thursday so one day in training before Saturday. Hardly ideal! The Czech’s played their second match on Sunday night…. Moyes will go with Soucek won’t he?!

Played 90 mins in a friendly against Australia in Texas. Played at an NFL stadium on a dodgy artificial pitch but no damage done. Hopefully the USA are told that the 2026 World Cup requires proper pitches.

Early days I know but not convinced yet despite his stats.

Looking like a very solid player and a tidy acquisition so far. Liking it very much.

Enjoy your Saturday swallowing twofacedcunt not often Moyes has today off so you can do your favourite thing to him….

"Ironically against Long Ball Luton that was probably one game that Soucek may have been suited for. Can maybe use him when we go to Long Ball Lincoln. In the meantime Alvarez is becoming one of the first names on the team sheet and interested to see how he gets on v Man C & Liverpool. Alvarez , JWP & Pacqueta all start. Its obvious"

"Nice post Nick, would have been better on the Moyes out thread though. You carry on stressing out about Moyes and Soucek and I’ll spend my Saturday wallowing in being top of the table and unbeaten."

"Nice post Nick, would have been better on the Moyes out thread though. You carry on stressing out about Moyes and Soucek and I’ll spend my Saturday wallowing in being top of the table and unbeaten."

"Alvarez, Soucek and JWP doesn’t work in any situation. It will become clear when Moyes plays all 3 which he will. Alvarez is so much better on the ball he’s technically miles ahead of Soucek. As for “stature” whatever that means he is as strong and as good in the air from what I’ve seen so…. Anyway we all know what’s coming"

"Played really well last night, one of those players who's everywhere and involved all the game. Noticed him getting forward a fair bit as well in the first half."

"I very much hope it is explained to Moyes in no uncertain terms that the way to deal with ‚Äúthe balls up and the knock-downs‚Äù is to press high, stay in shape and use technique to keep and pass the ball. That‚Äôs the way proper football teams like Man City do it, and if Moyes still doesn‚Äôt have the confidence that his players can, he‚Äôs learnt absolutely nothing from what he saw of ?Ålvarez, Paqueta, JWP and the back four yesterday. It‚Äôs fucking simple. With ?Ålvarez on the scene, Soucek‚Äôs ‚Äústature‚Äù is now surplus to requirements at least until the latter stages of games when the opposition has to resort to try ‚Äúthe balls up and knock downs‚Äù and we are too knackered to stop them."