Edson Alvarez has disrespected West Ham for the last time after talking up his potential departure from the club yet again – giving Graham Potter an easy decision to make.
West Ham boss Graham Potter has been labelled ‘weak’ and a ‘yes man’ by pundits such as Simon Jordan and some fans.
But whether you agree with the decisions or not, the Hammers boss has showed a ruthless streak in recent months.
Potter criticised and then dropped Niclas Fullkrug after his angry outburst.
He warned West Ham players who are refusing to change that they will be shipped out this summer.
Potter then wielded the axe on a senior quartet with 25 years of service and over 700 appearances between them.
Potter shows he can be ruthless at West Ham
The Hammers boss may yet elect to let another long-serving star leave in the shape of Michail Antonio.
And he recently took on Edson Alvarez too.
It was recently claimed that Mexico captain Alvarez pulled out of the Southampton game after a disagreement with Potter.
Immediately after that game – which the Hammers drew 1-1 – Alvarez sent a cryptic post on social media which suggested cracks were appearing in his relationship with the 49-year-old Englishman.
A leak from a source close to West Ham’s owners then claimed Alvarez had a fall-out out with Potter as he withdrew from the Southampton game citing he had a bad back.
Alvarez was named on the bench when he returned to West Ham’s squad three games later at Man United.
It all comes against the backdrop of almost incessant speculation that Alvarez wants out of the club and will be sold if the right offers arrive.
Alvarez fell out of favour with David Moyes towards the end of his tenure and is said to have clashed with Julen Lopetegui too.
West Ham’s midfield has been at the heart of most of the team’s problems this season.
Alvarez was singled out as West Ham’s biggest problem by pundits on Match of the Day earlier this season.
He has been criticised for his lack of physicality and pace and has struggled for consistent form since initially impressing in the months after his £34m arrival from Ajax in 2023.
Back then Alvarez looked like he might be the perfect replacement for Declan Rice.
That now looks a laughable suggestion.
Alvarez has disrespected West Ham for the last time
Last summer Alvarez was being linked with a move to Manchester United before he picked up an injury at the Copa America.
Prior to that it was Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund being linked with the Hammers midfielder.
On each occasion 27-year-old Alvarez did absolutely nothing to play down leaving West Ham. In fact he did the polar opposite, talking up a move away.
Less than five months into life at West Ham last season, Alvarez stated he’s ‘always open’ to a move after links to Bayern.
When speculation was rife he could leave in the summer for Man United – and a reunion with then Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag – Alvarez again talked the move up rather than committing himself to West Ham.
“I know that the Copa America is a very important tournament where the eyes of the world are basically here,” he told ESPN last summer.
“Later there will be time to see what there is or what there isn’t.”
Then when links emerged about a potential move to AC Milan ahead of the January window, Alvarez said ‘let’s see’ and admitted such talk gave him confidence.
Alvarez talks up West Ham exit yet again
Now Alvarez has disrespected West Ham for the last time after talking up exit yet again.
Appearing as a guest on TUDN, Alvarez did state he is happy as a West Ham player.
But he once again refused to rule out leaving if an offer came along, stating ‘there will always be options’.
And he says even if he is happy at West Ham ‘for now’, football is such that ‘it can change at any moment’.
“Obviously, as a professional footballer, there’s always going to be a lot of buzz around you, in the sense that there will always be options, that there are teams that are watching you,” Alvarez said.
“That personal motivation to continue growing as a player, as a person.
“I’m a West Ham player. I feel very happy. This club has surprised me a lot… I’m very happy here. The city of London helps me a lot, but this is football; it can change at any moment. I just want to be mentally and physically prepared for whatever may come, but for now, I’m very well and happy with the team.”
Potter’s Alvarez decision made simple
This is one time too many from Alvarez.
Potter needs players who are fully committed to the club and the future and are delighted to be West Ham players, not hoping for interest from other clubs.
The manager’s decision will be made all the more simple by the fact Alvarez simply hasn’t been performing for the Hammers – like many of his teammates – for some time now.
So if a reasonable offer does arrive when the window opens, West Ham should not hesitate to sell.
Especially if it allows Potter to bring in a young, exciting, box-to-box midfielder more suited to the Premier League and – more importantly – who actually wants to be at the club.
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