West Ham Fans Convinced Paqueta and Alvarez Can’t Coexist, Demand Potter Sells One
West Ham United’s 2024/25 season has been a rollercoaster, and with Graham Potter now at the helm, fans are growing increasingly vocal about the squad’s shortcomings. At the heart of their frustrations lies a perceived incompatibility between two of the club’s marquee signings: Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez. Many supporters believe the Brazilian playmaker and the Mexican midfielder cannot effectively play together in the same midfield, leading to calls for Potter to offload one of them to restore balance and propel the Hammers up the Premier League table.
Lucas Paqueta, signed from Lyon for £51 million in 2022, was expected to be West Ham’s creative fulcrum. His flair, vision, and ability to unlock defenses made him a fan favorite, with moments of brilliance like his swashbuckling performance against Liverpool in April 2025, where he “toyed” with the opposition, earning praise as an “elegant footballer” whose playmaking surpasses his peers. However, his inconsistency—exacerbated by an ongoing FA investigation into alleged betting breaches—has frustrated supporters. Paqueta has managed five goals in 31 appearances this season, but his form has been patchy, with fans criticizing his lack of discipline and tendency to drift out of games.
Edson Alvarez, acquired from Ajax for £34 million in 2023, was billed as the perfect anchor to replace Declan Rice. Lauded as “tenacious” and nicknamed “Machin” for his tough, no-nonsense style, Alvarez’s role is to break up play and recycle possession. Yet, his time at West Ham has been marred by disciplinary issues, with two red cards and six yellows this season alone, alongside criticism for his limited offensive contributions. Fans have pointed to his struggles in Potter’s system, particularly in a 1-0 loss to Newcastle, where he and midfield partners Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse were “ineffective,” failing to create chances for attackers like Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.
The issue, fans argue, is that Paqueta’s free-roaming, risk-taking style clashes with Alvarez’s more conservative, defensively focused role. Social media platforms like X have been abuzz with sentiments like, “Paqueta and Alvarez together kill our midfield flow. One’s gotta go,” and “Alvarez sits too deep, Paqueta wanders too much—Potter needs to pick one.” The duo’s lack of synergy was evident in games like the Newcastle defeat, where West Ham’s midfield lacked cohesion, unable to transition effectively from defense to attack.
The fanbase’s frustration has reached a boiling point, with many urging Potter to make a decisive move in the transfer market. Posts on X reflect a split: some want Paqueta sold due to his legal troubles and inconsistent output, especially with rumors of a potential £20 million move to Flamengo or interest from Manchester City. Others argue Alvarez is the problem, citing his disciplinary record and regression since his Ajax days, with Monaco’s rejected loan offer in January fueling speculation about his exit. One fan summed it up: “Paqueta’s got the magic but Alvarez is a liability with those cards. Sell Edson, keep Lucas, and build around him.”
Potter, who replaced Julen Lopetegui in January 2025, has praised both players, noting Paqueta’s “responsibility” and Alvarez’s ability…
