I can’t help but feel that **West Ham** are letting a good player go as Edson Álvarez heads towards the exit door.
The 27-year-old is at the peak of his powers, having just won the Gold Cup in South America where he scored in the final and was crowned Player of the Tournament.
It doesn’t seem so long ago that Chelsea had shown interest in the Mexican, and just over a year ago Manchester United were rumoured to be lining up a £50m bid. That was the sort of money which seemed about right for a player West Ham bought from Ajax for £35m.
Sure, he’s a bit hot-headed and often the likeliest candidate for a red card, but as long as he’s not played out of position (as Julen Lopetegui did against Chelsea last season), Álvarez is an excellent holding midfielder.
For some reason, though, his face doesn’t seem to fit at the London Stadium. The board appear keen to offload him and manager [Graham Potter](https://www.claretandhugh.info/graham-potters-west-ham-transfer-clear-out-incoming/) seems unwilling to use him. Third-hand information suggests Potter doesn’t believe Álvarez suits his style of football — which is ironic, because it seems nobody else does either.
Nothing highlights the disjointed recruitment at West Ham quite like loaning out a player recently valued at £50m. Don’t rule out Álvarez doing an “Aguerd” and thriving on loan wherever he ends up — and who could blame him?