West Ham United’s Edson Álvarez picked up an injury in June while in action for Mexico at the Copa América.
The midfielder was on the sidelines until mid-August, which forced him to miss pre-season with the Hammers. He’s made seven appearances this season and that includes three Premier League starts.
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to Fox Sports Mexico. He says the 26-year-old’s setback in the summer hasn’t helped him at the start of this season.
“Edson is a boy who hasn’t had a pre-season, with an eight-week injury he had this summer, which is a major handicap for him, which takes time for him to adapt, and this whole process is a little later [delayed],” he said.
Álvarez has two yellow cards this season and was sent off in the London club’s EFL Cup defeat to Liverpool last month. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss is well aware of his qualities.
The manager is of the belief the Mexican can further improve his game if he were to manage his emotions on the pitch.
“He’s a boy with a lot of energy; as you rightly say, and without a doubt he’s an important player for us,” Lopetegui explained.
“I think that in that adaptation too, in that energy, he has to be able to manage it in the best possible way, and for it to be an energy that helps and makes him become a better and better footballer.”
Fox Sports point out the incident in Mexico’s friendly win over USA this month. Álvarez ‘sprinted and shook Alejandro Zendejas by the neck’ and the referee only showed him a yellow card.
“We are also working on it, and he is aware of that circumstance, and every time I’m sure he’s going to be a better player and help us more, without any doubt,” the West Ham manager added.
