Chelsea “really like” Ajax and Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez, for whom they had made an unsuccessful last-ditch £43m bid at the end of the summer transfer window.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who issued an update on the saga via his daily briefing for Caught Offside.
What’s the word?
Taking to his column with Caught Offside, the Italian said: “Chelsea really like Ajax’s Edson Alvarez and they have for some time now and I know fans will want to know if the Blues will try to sign him again in January, well, it’s a possibility but not something that is guaranteed yet.
“Chelsea will have a new director’s structure; so they will decide on the priorities in November or December together with Graham Potter and Todd Boehly.
“Alvarez is appreciated and remains highly rated but there are no current talks with Ajax or his agents.”
Blues brilliance
With Alvarez having “fought” for a move to SW6 when Chelsea had bid for him, as per an interview with ESPN, it would be a no-brainer for Todd Boehly and co to again try and snap up a well-rounded, midfield-bolstering asset.
Averaging 3.5 accurate long balls, 3.5 clearances and 1.5 successful tackles per 90, Alvarez has shone in many aspects of his game throughout the Eredivisie campaign so far and would likely bed well into Graham Potter’s plans.
The Mexican functions as a sole midfield pivot for the Amsterdam giants, a role which comes with major defensive responsibilities.
In Potter’s central midfield system, Alvarez could be granted more freedom to shine as a deep-lying playmaker, where he has shown big improvement under Alfred Schreuder as a progressive string-puller, operating as the most active midfielder in possession with a league average of 66.2 passes per 90.
Romano’s update should come as a promising one for Chelsea fans, as it seems that the club haven’t given up on trying to lure the 25-year-old just yet.
