On December 22nd, West Ham United confirmed having reached an agreement with Silkeborg IF for Frederik Alves’ transfer.
The defender arrived at the London club in January and signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Hammers.
Having made three appearances in the Premier League 2, the 21-year-old is yet to feature for West Ham’s first team.
West Ham were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United and David Moyes included the Denmark U21 international in the squad for the cup tie.
Alves had an opportunity to come off the bench against the Red Devils, but the former Everton manager preferred Issa Diop ahead of him.
“When we played against Manchester United in the FA Cup, Angelo Ogbonna was injured, and then Moyes sent me, Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop out and to warm up,” he told Tipsbladet.
“He called Balbuena and put him back again [on the bench] because he was a little doubtful with something in his calf.”
“Then there was me and Issa Diop. It was Diop who was called and he came in, so I’m the fifth choice right now. My time will come. I prepare by working hard and getting better on the training ground.”
The English capital club have enjoyed a good run in the league this term and are currently fourth in the table. Moyes is unsure if his side can finish in top four this season, but Alves thinks otherwise.
“It’s great [with] everything that’s going on. We’re in a good streak, and the mood is high,” the Dane explained.
“But we players do not look at the table. We look at the opponent we are up against and then we just think we are going to go out and smash them and win. That’s what we’re after. But it’s a bit wild that we are in a Champions League place. It is within reach.”
Although Alves is still waiting for his first appearance in the Premier League, he has understood the level and quality of football in England.
“It is of course challenging one against one defensively, and it goes fast with the ball when we play. But I can play along. I am, since I came here, surprised that it’s not harder. This is a positive surprise, which I welcome. So, I work hard to get into the team and get higher up the hierarchy,” Alves added.
“It’s moving forward and Moyes is happy with me. So is the assistant, because I’ve been told that. I’m going to go get a few minutes on the field, but it’s hard when the team does well.
“I feel good sitting on the bench, being around the team and playing in first class. So far, I have experienced Son and Kane up close, and I have stood and warmed up next to Bruno Fernandes and Gareth Bale.”
