West Ham star Angelo Ogbonna has liked a post stating Edson Alvarez is just as good as Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
When West Ham went out to replace Declan Rice following his mega money move to London rivals Arsenal in the summer many felt they needed two players.
That was understandable given Rice is something of a hybrid midfielder – hence Arsenal paying West Ham £105m for his signature.
Rice has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season – as Hammers fans had told their north London counterparts he would be.
But of late he has looked limited in what he can offer the Gunners offensively – ironically putting in his worst ever performance against West Ham.
Ogbonna agrees Alvarez just as good as Rice
The Hammers signed Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Mohammed Kudus with the money they got from Arsenal for Rice. So it is fair to say it was a very good deal for all concerned.
Before West Ham signed Alvarez from Ajax for £34m – we pointed out on Hammers News that the Mexican was actually statistically better than Rice in five of six key areas.
One of those was progressive carries per game, with Alvarez edging it 2.54 to 2.42 vs the Arsenal man.
While Rice has quickly settled in as a fundamental part of Arsenal’s team, so too has Alvarez at West Ham.
And in recent weeks El Machin has shown how well he can get forward too, winning man of the match in the draw with Brighton as he continually drove the ball up the pitch.
‘What does Dec do that Ed doesn’t?’
Now West Ham star Angelo Ogbonna has liked a post stating Alvarez is just as good as Arsenal’s Rice.
A popular West Ham account on X posed stated: “Genuine question what does Declan Rice do that Alvarez doesn’t?”
And Ogbonna has liked the post.
So the veteran defender, who was a contender for man of the match when West Ham got one over on Rice again in the recent 2-0 victory at Arsenal, clearly agrees.
Two absolutely fantastic midfielders.
And some will argue Rice is the more athletic of the two.
But there is not a lot in it either way – certainly not £69m worth.
Rice declared he felt Gunners boss Mikel Arteta could develop his game offensively to emulate the likes of Yaya Toure and Steven Gerrard.
That may come with time of course. But observers have noted Rice is playing deeper for Arsenal than he ever did for the Hammers.
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