Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez has opened up on his failed transfer to Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
Edson Alvarez was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer transfer window. And Chelsea were reportedly keen on bringing the 25-year-old Mexican midfielder to Stamford Bridge. But the move did not materialise, and the player was left disappointed.
Back then, Thomas Tuchel wanted to add more depth and quality to his central midfield unit, and he identified the 25-year-old as the ideal target. Despite Chelsea trying their best to agree on a deal with Ajax, the Dutch outfit refused to sell him.
Ajax had already lost Antony to Manchester United for a substantial fee. So it makes sense for them to decide to hold on to the other key players at the start of the season.
Alvarez is a key player for the Dutch outfit, and losing him would have been a major blow for Ajax. Furthermore, they would have struggled to find a quality replacement as well.
Speaking to ESPN, as relayed by 90min, the Chelsea target has now confirmed that he was very disappointed with the situation but that he is focused on performing at a high level for the Dutch outfit now. And he is confident that he will get to join a big club in January or at the end of the season.
“I am very disappointed about it,” Alvarez told (h/t 90min). “But I am convinced that one day another big club will come for me. This winter, or in the summer. For now I can only focus on Ajax.”
Chelsea could certainly use a quality defensive midfielder, especially with the persistent injury problems of N’Golo Kante. The Blues certainly have the resources to sign the player, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to pursue him with purpose after reigniting their interest in the Mexican defensive midfielder at the end of the season.
Judging by his comments, it is evident that the player is keen on moving to the Premier League. And the opportunity to join Chelsea could be a tempting proposition for him.
Although Ajax are a club used to winning trophies, the challenge of performing in the Premier League is a whole new experience. The 25-year-old Mexican international will be desperate to prove himself at the highest level, and a move to Chelsea would give him the platform he needs to take his career to the next level.
