West Ham star left out against QPR as Nuno should sell him in January

West Ham United were held to a 1‑1 draw by Queens Park Rangers, a result that left Mexico international Edson Álvarez out of the matchday squad despite being fit, prompting fresh debate over whether manager Nuno Espírito Santo should consider selling the 28‑year‑old midfielder in the January window.

Jarrod Bowen levelled the score after Nicolas Madsen saw his penalty ruled controversial, only for Bowen to miss a late spot‑kick of his own. The equaliser came in the second half, preserving West Ham’s point.

The draw extended West Ham’s run to three matches without a win across all competitions. At half‑time Nuno made two substitutions, bringing on Pablo and Edvin Austbø for Kyle Walker‑Peters and Tomas Soucek in an attempt to change the contest.

Selection controversy

Álvarez’s omission was the most striking decision before kick‑off; he did not even make the bench while Soucek remained the sole change to the starting eleven after the 2‑2 draw with Millwall. The Mexico midfielder had been expected to return but was absent altogether.

Spanish outlet AS reported that Álvarez now “appears forced to look for a new club” after another exclusion. His sole West Ham appearance this season came in the Carabao Cup against Portsmouth in August, and he arrived from Ajax in 2023 for a reported fee of around £35 million.

Future options for Álvarez

Nuno may favour Soucek’s running, physical presence and aerial threat, especially when West Ham need to chase a game, but leaving Álvarez out entirely sends a firm message when a defensive midfielder could be vital in a demanding promotion campaign. Retaining him on the bench would give the manager an extra option to protect leads, win second balls and disrupt attacks.

If the midfielder remains outside the plans, a January sale could make sense provided West Ham secure a reasonable fee and reinvest the money to strengthen the attack. Reported links with Olympiacos, Ajax and Fenerbahçe have surfaced, although none confirm an imminent deal.

A photo taken on 16 August 2025 shows Álvarez arriving at the Stadium of Light before West Ham’s Premier League fixture against Sunderland, underscoring his continued presence in the squad despite recent exclusions.