No wonder he's not performing, Lopetegui revealed what's really going on with Edson Álvarez in England

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has recently made comments that have sparked debate about the performance of Edson Álvarez. In a press conference, the Spanish coach expressed his concern about certain aspects of the Mexican midfielder's play.

“He is a boy with a lot of energy; as you rightly comment, and who without any doubt is an important player for us, and I think that in that adaptation also, in that energy, well he has to be able to manage it in the best possible way, and that it is an energy that helps and that makes him be a better and better footballer,” Lopetegui assured.

Lopetegui's statements have generated debate among fans and pundits. Some believe that the coach's criticism is constructive and will serve to motivate Álvarez and improve his performance. Others, however, believe that the expectations on the Mexican were too high, as he arrived to fill the shoes of a benchmark player like Declan Rice and that he is being demanded too soon.

However, the West Ham manager is confident that the player, who emerged from Club America's youth academy, will be able to improve this facet of his game and thus help the team, with which he has been quite consistent. “We are also working on it and he is aware of that circumstance, and every time I'm sure he will be a better player and will help us more, without any doubt,” Lopetegui mentioned.

Despite the criticism, the Hammers coach acknowledged that Edson has not had an easy start to the season due to the injury that sidelined him during the Copa America 2024. “Edson is a guy who comes without doing preseason, with an eight-week injury he had this summer, which is a major handicap for him, which takes its adaptation period, to all this process is a little later.”

Even so, Edson Álvarez has established himself as an important player who has participated in 5 of the 7 Premier League games this season. However, Julen Lopetegui seems to have a very valid point, as the mexican player has 2 yellow cards in the Premier League and a double yellow card in the Carabao Cup.