West Ham could gain more from Edson Álvarez’s reported reintegration than another name on the teamsheet. Used in the right combination, the midfielder could give Divine Mukasa greater freedom to influence matches closer to goal.
That is the tactical opportunity for Nuno Espírito Santo to consider as he prepares for Championship football to resume.
Claret & Hugh reports that Álvarez remains in Nuno’s plans, citing an agent involved in the midfielder’s previous move to Fenerbahçe. The outlet also relays information that he has returned to training with the group.
Neither report confirms a starting place or a change of formation. However, they raise an interesting question: could restoring a more defensive midfield option help West Ham get more from one of their most promising attacking players?
West Ham midfield options could change Mukasa’s responsibilities
Mukasa has already demonstrated that he can contribute from central midfield. His two goals in the 4-2 victory over Wolves provided an early indication of his threat.
There is also value in what happens before the shot. Our analysis of his performance against Derby highlighted his connection with the forwards and willingness to move possession into dangerous areas.
Those qualities make him useful in deeper positions. They also create an argument for occasionally allowing him to operate higher.
A midfielder receiving near his own defence faces different decisions from one collecting the ball behind the opposition midfield. Further forward, a successful turn or combination can immediately expose the back line.
The challenge is providing that freedom without leaving too much space behind him.
Alvarez and Engels could provide a different foundation
One possible arrangement would put Álvarez alongside Arne Engels, with Mukasa operating ahead of them.
The intended division of responsibility would be clear. Álvarez would prioritise protecting the centre and covering space when teammates advance. Engels would help connect the defensive line with the attacking players.
Mukasa could then spend more time finding pockets behind the opposition midfield, supporting the striker and combining with the wide players.
This is a proposed option, not a system Nuno has announced.
It would also require more than selecting a recognised defensive midfielder. Álvarez would need the sharpness to receive under pressure, move the ball quickly and recognise when to step forward or hold his position.
If the deeper pair circulated possession too slowly, Mukasa could become isolated. More protection would achieve little if West Ham struggled to get the ball into him.
Moving Mukasa forward would come at a cost
There is no formation that gives Nuno an extra midfielder without taking something away elsewhere.
Using Mukasa behind one striker could mean sacrificing a second centre-forward. That would reduce the number of players immediately occupying the opposition centre-backs.
Against a deep defence, two forwards can offer useful penalty-area presence. Replacing one with another midfielder might improve connections while leaving fewer targets for crosses.
The decision should depend on the problem West Ham need to solve.
If the forwards are receiving too little service, another player between the lines could help. If West Ham already control territory but struggle to finish attacks, removing a striker might make the task harder.
Mukasa’s position should follow the demands of the match, rather than become a permanent answer to every question.
Millwall showed why balance matters
The draw at Millwall offers a useful reference point.
West Ham started with Joël Piroe and Taty Castellanos, but reached half-time two goals behind. Their recovery required changes, with Mohamadou Kanté scoring before Konstantinos Mavropanos supplied the equaliser.
Our Millwall player ratings described a first half in which West Ham struggled to turn possession into control.
That does not prove a different midfield would have won the match. It does show why selecting attacking players and building effective attacks are separate tasks.
Nuno needs enough support around the ball to keep moves alive, recover loose possession and prevent opponents escaping through the middle.
Giving Mukasa a more advanced role could help connect the team. Leaving him disconnected from the deeper midfield would simply move the problem further up the pitch.
Soucek would offer another kind of solution
Tomáš Souček’s recovery adds another possibility, although his readiness must come before any selection argument.
West Ham are reportedly planning friendly minutes for Souček as he works towards a competitive return.
His potential contribution would differ from the holding role outlined for Álvarez. Souček’s aerial presence and capacity to attack the penalty area could give Nuno another way to support a lone striker.
In that arrangement, someone else would need to protect the space he leaves.
It would therefore be a mistake to treat Álvarez and Souček as interchangeable solutions. Their roles would shape what Engels and Mukasa could do around them.
Returning players create options, but the combinations matter more than the number of available names.
Nuno can change games without changing everything
These possibilities need not produce an immediate overhaul of the starting XI.
Nuno could begin with a familiar arrangement and move Mukasa higher when the match requires another player between the lines. Alternatively, he could introduce a more defensive midfielder to protect a lead while retaining a creative outlet.
That flexibility would be valuable across a long season.
It would also allow Nuno to assess returning players gradually, rather than asking someone short of competitive minutes to solve several problems at once.
The useful signs would be visible in the football: cleaner forward passes, better support around Mukasa and fewer occasions when a lost ball leaves the defence exposed.
The opportunity is to make Mukasa more effective
Mukasa does not need a new position simply because another midfielder becomes available. His existing role has already produced encouraging performances.
The opportunity is to give Nuno more control over where and how he uses him.
If Álvarez earns his way back into contention, West Ham could gain a platform for different attacking combinations. If Souček returns successfully, they could add another penalty-area threat.
Neither development guarantees improvement. But both could help Nuno build a midfield that gives Mukasa the right support for the task in front of him.
