But news today of confirmation of a January rumour – an attempt to take a West Ham player away in January – that was rebuffed by Graham Potter who’d only just arrived at London Stadium himself.

From Mexican site foxsports.com.mx comes the report entitled  ‘Edson Álvarez was an option, but we did not reach an agreement’ detailing the failed attempt by Monaco’s Mexican sporting director to take ‘El Machin’ to the French Ligue 1.

Fabrizio Romano first suggested mid January that Monaco were interested in offering a loan deal for Alvarez, but it was only later – presumably once Potter and his head of recruitment had got together – that West Ham officially rejected the bid. As Monaco’s  Sporting Director Carlos Aviña confirmed:

“It was an option that we were exploring, and we were pushing. Unfortunately, we could not reach an agreement. 

aHe is doing things very well at West Ham and I think it is no surprise that clubs like us and from other Leagues are also looking for him.” Wheres at the time, many, including myself, would have quite happy to see Alvarez leave such was his disciplinary problem, Potter has backed his own ability to coax better from several below par performers.

The change in Alvarez since Potter’s arrival is noticeable.

Still charging around, still crunching into tackles, but – too early, possibly to tell – maybe a tad more focused? Appearing, assisting, supporting, all over the pitch, becoming creator for Emerson’s equaliser against Chelsea is certainly a departure from ‘headless chicken’ mode which was the norm under Lopetegui.

By rejecting the offer of a loan move and by bringing Alvarez -along with several of West Ham’s under performing key players – back towards their best, Potter is turning theirs, and the club’s season around.