“Plane was waiting” – Player ‘an hour away’ from joining Chelsea before transfer was blocked

West Ham United star Edson Álvarez has revealed that Ajax blocked his transfer to Chelsea.

The Mexico international left Ajax for the Hammers last summer and has scored two goals and registered two assists from 35 games for them this season.

The West Ham player has been speaking to Burro Van Rankin’s podcast for Caliente TV and his comments are relayed by Fox Sports Mexico. This is where he revealed that he came close to joining Chelsea, before the Dutch club stopped his exit.

Ajax signed the midfielder from Mexican side Club América in 2019 and he was part of their squad that won the domestic double during the 2021/22 season.

The Blues had shown keen interest in the 26-year-old in the summer of 2022. The deal was advanced but Álvarez didn’t explain why the Eredivisie side stopped him from joining Chelsea, although the reason is likely related to the players Ajax had already lost during that window.

“Actually, in year three [at Ajax], I had to go to Chelsea, the plane was waiting for me at the airport. When Ajax told me you know what: ‘you’re not going’,” he said.

“Whether people believe it or not, it doesn’t make any difference to me, I’m the one who is here and the one who is living it.  I was an hour away from getting on the plane and going to sign for Chelsea and Ajax told me: ‘you’re not going’. So, you’re not leaving, what do you do? There’s no way you’re leaving.”

Although he hasn’t specifically mentioned it, the midfielder’s comments suggest he was disappointed over his failed move to the west London club.

Álvarez’s deal at West Ham lasts until 2028, and David Moyes’ side are currently in seventh spot, five points above 11th placed Chelsea.