Edson Alvarez is set to return to the West Ham squad, but what could that mean for Songoutou Magassa?

The story of two of West Ham’s highest-profile midfielders this season has been, to say the least, weird. We thought both would leave, then they seemed happy to stay, then it seemed like they wanted to leave again.

However, we don’t actually know what happened; it’s all speculation, but we do know neither played in pre-season, which, to be fair, was for good reason. Magassa was injured, and Alvarez returned late after playing in the World Cup.

We also know that both players only have one appearance between them so far this campaign. Alvarez started the first game of the season, then disappeared, and we have only seen Magassa on the bench in the last couple of games.

Reports suggested both players wanted to leave during the window. Magassa apologised for trying to force a move, which is why we’ve seen him on the bench recently, but he has yet to come on.

We still don’t know the real reason for Alvarez’s absence, but it seems like he is going to be integrated back into the squad as soon as QPR next Friday. So is there space for Magassa too?

West Ham are stacked in midfield. Engels and Mukasa are currently the starting two, with Kanté, Orford, Lamadrid, and the returning Soucek all competing for places.

I think Alvarez immediately jumps ahead of Orford and Lamadrid in the pecking order, but does Magassa? I really don’t know. Kante and Soucek are guaranteed a place on the bench at least, so is there any need for both Magassa and Alvarez on there?

Obviously, both players can play in central defence; Alvarez played there in the World Cup for Mexico, and with Mavropanos our only senior right-sided centre-back, could he use one of them as depth there? I think it would be extremely harsh to drop Golambeckis to fifth-choice CB, but it could be a real option for Nuno.

We really don’t need eight players for two positions, but it’s what we’ve got, and some players you would probably say are even too good for the Championship might not even make the matchday squad.

I think Songoutou Magassa is the one most likely to miss out a lot. Come January, the 22-year-old Frenchman could be looking for a way out once again.