Alvarez’s disciplinary issues have raised concerns among fans and management alike, as his absence during crucial matches has been felt deeply by the team. Moyes emphasized the importance of Alvarez’s presence on the pitch and expressed the need for him to exercise more caution to avoid unnecessary bookings.
Despite his disciplinary setbacks, Alvarez’s contributions to the team cannot be understated. His defensive prowess and ability to break up opposition attacks have been invaluable to West Ham’s midfield stability.
However, Moyes stressed the need for Alvarez to find a balance between his aggressive style of play and avoiding bookings that result in suspensions.
The Mexican midfielder’s absence for the upcoming Europa League clash against Bayer Leverkusen will be a significant blow to West Ham’s aspirations in the competition. Moyes and his coaching staff will need to devise a plan to compensate for Alvarez’s absence and ensure that the team remains competitive against tough opposition.
While Moyes refrained from having a private conversation with Alvarez about his disciplinary issues, he expects the experienced midfielder to take responsibility for his actions and make the necessary adjustments to his playing style. Alvarez’s maturity and understanding of the importance of his role within the team will be crucial in addressing his disciplinary concerns moving forward.
In total, Alvarez – who was signed to replace Declan Rice last summer – has been shown a staggering 15 yellow cards across all competitions. Moyes says the Hammers star has been booked “too often” for his liking.
“I think the intensity and the speed is probably where he’s still getting used to the Premier League,” Moyes said. “For us, we’ve not got such a big squad where we can afford too many people to be out.
“We lost him earlier in the season through suspension, we’ve had him out now and we’ll lose him for the game in Leverkusen in midweek as well. It begins to have an effect on you that you’re losing him for so many games.
“He’s been booked too often. We need to try and find a way where he doesn’t put himself in that situation because it affects the team and it has done in recent weeks.”
Moyes insists he will not have a private chat with the 26-year-old as he expects him to have the experience to know that he cannot be booked so often.
The Scot continued: “We’ve missed his presence. He’s been a big influence on us since we signed him at the start of the season. He’s been hugely important to the team.
“I’ve not had a conversation with him because I’d expect him to be experienced enough to understand that you can’t go about getting yellow cards every week. He’s wise enough, he doesn’t need me to tell him.”
As West Ham continue their pursuit of European qualification and success in domestic competitions, Moyes will be counting on Alvarez to learn from his past mistakes and become a more disciplined presence on the pitch. With proper guidance and self-awareness, Alvarez can harness his aggression and physicality to become an even more effective asset for the team.
Moyes’ public admonishment of Alvarez highlights the seriousness of the midfielder’s disciplinary issues and their impact on the team’s performance.
While Alvarez’s contributions to the team have been significant, his tendency to accumulate yellow cards has disrupted West Ham’s rhythm and cost them valuable points.
As the season progresses, Alvarez must prioritize discipline and composure to avoid further suspensions and ensure that he remains an integral part of Moyes’ plans for success.