Forget the Azteca because West Ham’s £34m Mexican new boy Edson Alvarez knows all about Luton’s old girl and can’t wait to play there.
West Ham will be part of yet more Premier League history tonight when they become the first team to visit Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road.
Luton’s start to life at home on their fairytale return to the top flight has been delayed while their famous little ground has been hastily redeveloped to meet Premier League requirements.
And Luton welcome West Ham there for the big day.
In many ways the fixture is so fitting. The Hatters have taken several players from West Ham down the years as they steadily built towards this momentous occasion in their now 11,300 capacity ground. Dan Potts and Pelly Ruddock to name but two.
From the Azteca to the old girl
Fans of West Ham and many other clubs considered part of the “Other 14” celebrated Luton’s promotion to the Premier League.
Supporters cannot wait to sample the “proper” old English ground that is Kenilworth – or ‘the old girl’ as Luton fans call it.
And they’re not the only ones it seems.
West Ham have spent around £125m on four top quality signings this summer. The first to arrive was Mexico international Edson Alvarez from Ajax in a deal worth £34m.
Forget the Azteca because West Ham’s £34m Mexican new boy Edson Alvarez knows all about Luton’s old girl and can’t wait to play there
Alvarez became the most expensive Mexican footballer of all time in the process.
He recently helped his country win the Gold Cup and has played in some of the world’s most famous stadiums in the Champions League and for Mexico.
That includes Mexico’s world famous national stadium – the 84,000 capacity Azteca.
But forget the Azteca because West Ham’s £34m Mexican new boy Alvarez has heard all about Luton’s old girl and he can’t wait to play there.
‘It’s special – I can’t wait!’
Hammers fans already love their combative new central midfield warrior. And Luton Town fans may have a soft spot for him too as he previewed tonight’s big game on Sky Sports and said he ‘knows all about special Kenilworth Road’.
And he says it will be a tough test for him and his West Ham teammates.
“I know it’s a special stadium for different things,” Alvarez said.
“We just need to go there and show what the team can do.
“We need to stick together as a team in what will be a difficult atmosphere and if we do that we can have a good result.
“You need to go there and fight, and you can get the three points.”
You only have to watch Alvarez play for a few minutes to see he is a proper football man.
And this is further proof, if it were needed.