Edson Alvarez thinks West Ham United have a ‘special’ talent in Lucas Paqueta and it is a ‘pleasure’ to now play with the Brazil maestro in the midfield at London Stadium.
The Irons utilised the funds raised from Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal to afford David Moyes several reinforcements this summer. Alvarez arrived at West Ham in August and he was soon joined by Ajax teammate Mohammed Kudus. James Ward-Prowse also went to east London.
West Ham paid Ajax £33m, plus £2.5m in add-ons, to sign Alvarez and £35.5m, plus £2.5m in add-ons, for Kudus. Moyes has since made Alvarez a key cog in the Irons’ core with Ward-Prowse and Paqueta. The Mexican has started in five of his six Premier League appearances.
Paqueta has blown Alvarez away at West Ham
Paqueta has opened all seven of West Ham’s Premier League fixtures so far this term ahead of hosting Newcastle United. The Magpies head to London Stadium on Sunday looking to go above the Irons. The Hammers rank a point above the Toon in the table with 13 to 12 points.
Europa League nights have also helped to coax the best of Paqueta after a Man of the Match display against SC Freiburg. The 26-year-old scored his second goal of the season to help to a 2-1 win. While Paqueta’s display furthered Alvarez’s admiration of his West Ham teammate.
“He’s a special player,” Alvarez said of Paqueta, via quotes by the Evening Standard, after the match. “We have a very good connection – he’s Brazilian, but we can understand each other. He’s a magnificent player and it’s a pleasure to play with him.”
Alvarez feels the Europa League title is possible
Beating Freiburg on the road took West Ham to an English record of 17 European fixtures on the bounce unbeaten. The Irons’ run started in the last Europa Conference League qualifying round and included lifting the UEFA title. It also ended the club’s 43-year drought for a title.
Now, Alvarez believes the team Moyes has assembled for this season has the potential to go on and win the Europa League. With the likes of Paqueta, Bowen and Nayef Aguerd, Alvarez sees no reason why West Ham cannot take successive UEFA titles with how they are playing.
“The guys in the past showed already that they could win the Conference League, so why not?” Alvarez added. “If we can keep doing what we [are] doing, then of course [we can].”
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