West Ham United loanee Edson Alvarez is not a popular man at Fenerbahce these days.
Alvarez missed over two months of Turkish Super Lig action after undergoing ankle surgery in February.
This means that, since moving to Istanbul on a season-long loan deal from West Ham United, the Mexico skipper has featured only 18 times in all competitions.
Who is West Ham’s best signing of 2025/26, and WHY? 🤑
Tell us below 👇
Of course, it would be pretty unfair to berate a man purely for the bad fortune of getting injured.
The reason why Edson Alvarez’s return to action was greeted by audible boos during Fenerbahce’s 3-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir last weekend, though, is because some feel he is giving priority to the upcoming World Cup instead of his club side’s title hopes.
West Ham United loanee Edson Alvarez is not popular at Fenerbahce
According to Turkish reporter Ahmet Ercanlar, via FF TV, the suspicion is that Alvarez underwent surgery in order to ensure he was fully fit for the start of the 2026 World Cup.
Thus, making himself unavailable for a vital period in Fenerbahce’s title tilt.
Fener are only four points behind bitter rivals Galatasaray but failed to win five of the ten matches Alvarez missed from February to April.
“Let me explain the Edson Alvarez situation to you in detail,” explains Ercanlar. “Maybe you’ll understand the reason for my reaction. He has a bone edema [commonly referred to as a ‘bone bruise’]. This doesn’t prevent him from playing.”
The reporter even claims that West Ham’s own medical staff told Alvarez that surgery was not required, only for the midfielder to go against their recommendations.
“First, Fenerbahce club doctors said it could be treated with medication. Then, since he’s a West Ham player, West Ham doctors are consulted. They say surgery isn’t necessary. That’s not enough, so Barcelona’s doctor is consulted! Barcelona’s doctor also says he can play without surgery.
“However, Edson isn’t satisfied and consults the Brazilian physiotherapist of the Mexico national team, arranges for a doctor in the Netherlands, goes there, and gets surgery. And he does this on the last day of the transfer window!
“Yesterday, while a 17-year-old kid was waiting on the bench [against Istanbul Basaksehir], Edson was brought into the game. I can’t wrap my head around it.”
What should our plan be with Potts and Magassa?
Both have barely featured in the last four months… 😕
Turkish giants will not trigger Alvarez’s £19m purchase clause
Fenerbahce can sign Alvarez permanently for £19 million this summer. It probably does not need saying, as the jeers ring around and Alvarez cups his ear in response, that an eye-watering windfall will not be falling into West Ham’s lap any time soon.
Back in East London, Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa have fallen out of favour ahead of Sunday’s vital derby with Arsenal.
Still, the emergence of Potts, the signings of Magassa and Mateus Fernandes, means that Alvarez is unlikely to be offered a second chance at his parent club.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
