Who is Edson Alvarez? Ajax's midfield machine targeted by Chelsea

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 25 Oct 2022 08:33 BST
• 5 min read

Ajax have produced a host of stars over the years, and while many of them benefit the Dutch record champions, a few even go on to greater things in Europe.

In the last few years, the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Antony have all earned big moves away from Ajax having been developed in Amsterdam.

The carousel isn’t stopping there, however, and there could be another star in the Ajax squad that could be destined for big things in the future.

That person is Edson Alvarez, the Mexican midfielder who is becoming a fan favourite in Amsterdam for his consistency. So, what do we know about him?

What position does Edson Alvarez play in?

Alvarez is a midfielder, and mostly plays in a holding role for Ajax, a position he has held under previous manager Erik ten Hag and current boss Alfred Schreuder.

How good is Edson Alvarez?

Out of all the talents at Ajax, Alvarez seems to be the next one destined for a move – he’s been at Ajax since 2019 and seen several players go – this may now be his time.

He’s improved massively over the last 18 months, being a crucial part of Erik ten Hag’s team last season and in this short campaign so far, he has been Schreuder’s most important figure.

The Mexican is undroppable, providing consistency and industry in the midfield, while occasionally popping in with a goal, such as the header he scored from a corner against Rangers in the Champions League.

His best attributes are involved in stopping the opposition – tackles, interceptions and timing – he’s got the right attributes for the role he is in, which is why he’s so well revered.

Additionally, he’s also great on the ball, as an Ajax player has to be, and unlike some holding players, he can actually progress the ball forward, which is why he’s such a popular figure amongst various coaches.

Ajax boss Schreuder even praised him after his failed transfer attempt this summer: “A very sensible individual. He was able to regain his focus and said he is fully committed to Ajax again. We expected that, but the way he spoke about it impressed me. He approached the game as a final, as he always does.”

Alvarez will definitely be going to the World Cup this winter with Mexico, barring any injuries, and that, along with the Champions League, is a chance for fans to see how good he truly is on the international stage.

What clubs are interested in Edson Alvarez?

Chelsea have shown the greatest interest in Alvarez and even wanted to sign him in the final days of the 2022 summer transfer window, but Ajax held firm as they didn’t want to lose more stars.

The Blues were asked to fork out €50 million for him, and they were even willing to quadruple Alvarez’s wages, but the move never happened in the end as they signed Denis Zakaria from Juventus instead.

It’s believed that Ajax would be open to a January sale if the circumstances are right, and that could be a chance for Alvarez to leave Amsterdam, which he wanted to do when Chelsea’s interest came about.

Chelsea also see Alvarez as the long-term successor to their current midfield options – both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are out of a contract at the end of the season.

It's believed that they will come back for Alvarez in 2023, and that the Mexican is one of their top targets for future transfer windows.

Other than Chelsea, there is also interest in Alvarez from Barcelona, as they're looking to improve in the defensive midfield position in the coming windows.

When does Edson Alvarez’s contract expire?

Alvarez has a contract with Ajax until 30 June 2025.

How old is Edson Alvarez?

Alvarez was born on 24 October 1997. He is currently 24-years-old.

What is Edson Alvarez’s height?

Alvarez is 1.87 metres, or 6 ft 1 inch tall.

What is Edson Alvarez Instagram?

Alvarez’s Instagram – edsonnalvarez – has 1.3 million followers as of September 2022.