West Ham have moved to address fresh claims that Edson Alvarez is on course for a sensational return to bolster Nuno Espirito Santo’s options in saving the club from relegation.
- Hammers News exclusive
Remember the Edson Alvarez who was flying into tackles, composed on the ball, dictating the play for West Ham and showing the kind of leadership that makes a player a cult hero in east London?
The Alvarez who seemed set to solve West Ham’s big problem in the middle of the park since generational talent Declan Rice left the club over two years ago.
It was clear West Ham were always going to struggle to replace Rice like-for-like – or anything close for that matter.
But Alvarez seemed like he could fill the void in many aspects.
After signing for the Hammers from Ajax for £34m, the Mexican’s first few months at West Ham were promising.
Alvarez looked like the leader West Ham needed but flopped
But Alvarez’s form, like that of the team, dipped from 2024 onwards and he has never been the same player since.
David Moyes publicly criticised Alvarez’s lack of fitness and called for him to improve his discipline with yellow cards a regular occurrence.
If Edson Alvarez RETURNED to West Ham this summer, how would you respond? 🇲🇽
And which player would be most worried by his comeback?
Alvarez lost his place towards the end of Moyes’ tenure then failed to impress Julen Lopetegui or Graham Potter, allegedly falling out with both.
The Hammers shipped Alvarez out on loan to Fenerbahce in the summer as part of the club’s midfield rebuild.
Alvarez started in Turkey as he left off at West Ham, his dismal form making the decision to offload him look a wise one.
Alvarez opened up on his miserable start to life at Fenerbahce while West Ham were plunged into a relegation battle under the hapless Potter.
Now keeping the Hammers in the Premier League is Nuno Espirito Santo’s problem to solve.
One of the Portuguese’s first big calls was to freeze out James Ward-Prowse.
Since then Nuno has actually found a nice blend in midfield with the likes of Freddie Potts, Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa.
But despite that youthful defensive shield, West Ham continue to ship goals.
There is a clear lack of leadership in the team.
That is one reason many fans would not be against West Ham offering Brazil captain Thiago Silva a short-term contract as he pleads for a return to London.
January represents Nuno’s only chance to make the team something like his own for the remainder of the season.
With only 13 points on the board nearing the halfway stage of the season, West Ham will be in a dogfight to the end.
Alvarez set for sensational return? West Ham respond
When it comes to a dogfight, it has many fans pondering whether Alvarez would be the perfect man to have as a midfield option.
The experienced star has played 13 times for Fener but there have been suggestions on some websites, and in the Turkish media, that Alvarez’s loan could be cut short.
Now West Ham have responded to claims Alvarez is set for a sensational return to save the club’s season.
There has been talk Nuno would like to have Alvarez as an option for the second half of the campaign.
The chances of a recall were dismissed by club insiders such as ExWHUemployee back in October.
When Ward-Prowse was on loan at Forest last season, he did not have a recall option in January.
But having been frozen out by Nuno at the City Ground, West Ham reached an agreement with Forest to terminate the loan so Ward-Prowse could return to the London Stadium where he became a starter under Potter.
It has been suggested something similar could happen between West Ham and Fener to facilitate the return of Alvarez.
Speculation over the return of the Mexican international has gathered pace among supporters again with the January window less than two weeks away.
Now the club have clarified the situation.
Hammers News asked the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners whether there was anything in fresh rumours Alvarez could be brought back into the fold next month.
The response was short, sharp and conclusive.
“There is no recall clause for Edson Alvarez,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s board confirmed to Hammers News.
So there you have it West Ham fans, confirmation once again that Alvarez won’t be coming back.
Alvarez doesn’t get in this West Ham team
You have to ask yourself whether he would even get anywhere near the team either.
The brilliant Fernandes is one of the first names on the teamsheet and makes Alvarez look like a Championship player by comparison.
Magassa is a destroyer in midfield and Potts’ performances have been one of the highlights of the season too.
Alvarez would arguably be a good back-up player to bring in if a senior head and leadership was needed to help see out games, something the Hammers have struggled to do of late.
But with no recall clause that won’t be happening.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
