West Ham United midfielder and Mexico international Edson Alvarez explained he’s motivated and happy after his Premier League debut with the Hammers and claimed he is not a direct replacement for Declan Rice, who joined London rivals Arsenal earlier this summer.
The 25-year-old made his first appearance as a Hammer in their impressive 3-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea, and while it was only a short cameo that spanned roughly ten minutes in regulation, the midfielder was excited to have finally pulled on the West Ham shirt.
Previous to joining West Ham, Alvarez starred for Liga MX and Concacaf giants Club America before making the move to the Netherlands to join Ajax in 2019, where he made over 140 appearances for the Dutch giants in all competitions.
“I’m quite happy to have my first minutes,” The El Tri figure said postgame to EFE. “Unfortunately I was going to come in earlier, but because of the expulsion I had to wait, but I’m very happy, because we got a result with an important team and all that adds to all these emotions.”
Now that Alvarez has made his first appearance for his new club, he’s fully focused on getting up to match fitness and doing everything he can to become one of the first names on head coach David Moyes’ team sheet.
“I know I’m not in my best shape yet, I’ve only been training for a week, but you pick up all that with training and games. If I prepare very well I know I can fight for a position [in the team],” said Alvarez.
While Alvarez was brought to the London Stadium to try and replace the gaping hole Rice left, the Mexican figure was quick to note that he and the England international are completely different players.
“I respect what he is as a player. I’ve seen him, everyone knows him, but I’m here to make my own story, to contribute what I can contribute,” Alvarez stated.
The Hammers and Alvarez are back in action when they travel to the Amex Stadium to take on Robert De Zerbi’s Brighton & Hove Albion on August 26.
