One of the midfielders Chelsea missed out on recently has revealed how he reacted and what the future may hold for him in the summer.
Chelsea strengthened their midfield during the latter stages of the January transfer window by breaking the British transfer record on Enzo Fernandez. They have also brought in Andrey Santos with an eye to the future.
Indeed, evolving their midfield is an important topic for Chelsea at present. Although finding a reliable centre-forward may be a bigger issue, they might lose some key midfielders from their current squad, whose places would need to be filled.
For example, N’Golo Kante will be out of contract at the end of the season. Furthermore, there are reports that Mateo Kovacic could be sold a year ahead of the expiry of his own contract. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is in a similar boat.
Therefore, Chelsea could do with another midfield reinforcement. In that regard, one player they could reignite their interest in is Ajax’s Edson Alvarez.
Able to play as a defensive midfielder or a centre-back, Alvarez has been identified as someone who could successfully adapt to the Premier League.
For example, Arsenal have been linked with a move for him, but Chelsea may be more concrete admirers. They made a bid for him last summer, which Ajax rejected.
Now, reflecting on his failed exit from Ajax, Alvarez has revealed he is preparing for a new challenge.
He told De Telegraaf: “I grieved for one day and then showed that I am a strong person. Of course, the disappointment lasted for a while, but I believe that everything happens for a reason.
“Maybe it wasn’t the right time yet. My time will come, 100%. That is in God’s and my own hands. And I’m working hard to be ready for a new challenge.”
The time for his new challenge could be the summer, which may align with Chelsea’s ideal process.
Accepting a deal must be right for his current club too – given that he is under contract with them until 2025 – Alvarez has vowed to seize the opportunity of stepping up elsewhere.
Edson Alvarez hoping for ‘something beautiful’ after Ajax
The Mexico international added: “I came to Ajax to learn, to enjoy and to reach the next level. Of course, my focus is 100% on Ajax at the moment.
“But if something beautiful comes along next summer that is good for Ajax and for me, then I want to seize that opportunity.”
Alvarez has made 27 appearances across all competitions for Ajax this season, including 19 in the Eredivisie. Overall for Ajax, he has played in 130 matches, scoring 10 goals.
At the age of 25, he is approaching the prime of his career. Therefore, he will want to spend it at the highest level possible.
Ajax are currently third in the Eredivisie table after 21 matches this season. If they fail to defend their league title, it might prompt some key players to consider their futures.
Alvarez’s admirers at Chelsea have seen their own squad struggle to meet expectations this season. But moving to the Premier League is still an appealing prospect and the Blues would be a big club for him to do it with.
Besides, they have won plenty of battles for transfer targets in recent months thanks to their big spending. Hence, they could be likely candidates to offer Alvarez the next step in his career in a few months’ time.
