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Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez has revealed his relief at not joining Chelsea last summer, citing the chaotic season endured by the London club.
Alvarez was the subject of interest from Chelsea, but Ajax stood firm and refused to sell him, resulting in his continued stay in Amsterdam for the 2022-23 campaign.
The Mexican international now believes it was a blessing in disguise.
Speaking to Voetbal International, Alvarez acknowledged that initially, the idea of a move to Stamford Bridge presented an intriguing mental challenge.
However, he soon refocused his mindset, recognizing the stature of Ajax as a prominent club. Alvarez firmly believes that everything happens for a reason and when he observed Chelsea’s season filled with numerous problems, he began to think that staying at Ajax may have been the right path.
Reflecting on his decision, Alvarez stated:
“At first, it was a mental test for me. But eventually, I adjusted my mindset because Ajax is also a massive club. I genuinely believe that everything in life happens for a reason. When I see how Chelsea’s season unfolded, with all the difficulties they faced, maybe it was meant to be this way. This challenging season at Ajax has also been a tremendous learning experience for me.”
Considering the broader context, both Ajax and Chelsea endured disappointing seasons. Ajax finished third in the Eredivisie, suffered defeat in the KNVB Beker final against PSV, and were eliminated from the Europa League by Union Berlin in the knockout round play-off.
However, Chelsea’s campaign was even more turbulent, as they slumped to a 12th-place finish in the Premier League, underwent three managerial changes, and failed to secure European football for the upcoming 2023-24 season, despite their substantial investments amounting to over £600 million in two transfer windows.
Although Alvarez, 25, is currently contracted to Ajax until 2025, rumors persist about a potential departure from the club during the ongoing summer transfer window.
