No summer domestic football in this strange new world does not mean ‘no football’ in the close season nowadays. The Europeans have had the UEFA U21’s to focus on with [England b](https://www.claretandhugh.info/hammers-midfield-transfer-targets-impress-on-england-duty/)eating Germany after extra time – whilst across the Atlantic there is a choice of FIFA’s club World Cup and the CONCACAF finals just in case there wasn’t enough football to choose from for the rest of the year.
The impact on the players’ welfare must be a concern in this 365 day -long football season. No summer break for these players, a short holiday and then back into pre-season, which cannot be good in the long term.
However with media attention still on ‘soccer’ across the pond through the whole summer, West Ham’s **Edson Alvarez** has done himself no harm at all leading his Mexico side to the semi finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after a 2-0 victory over the mighty Saudi Arabia national side.
The Semi final will be against Honduras on Thursday, with the final next weekend.
With West Ham looking to move players on before buying, Alvarez’ continued success with the Mexico side is a pretty good advertisement for his leadership skills and testament to his fitness for any club considering taking him away from London Stadium.
Borussia Dortmund were reputed to have been amongst the suitors circling for Alvarez last month: At least he’ll not need much of a pre-season to get up to fitness should he sign for a new club in the summer.