Edson Álvarez has become an important link in midfield at Ajax. In his first season in Amsterdam, the Mexican international was regularly criticized for his qualities on the ball. The 23-year-old midfielder has invested a lot in himself on Ajax’s training field, which has reduced the criticism of his handling of the ball.
Ajax paid lvarez an amount of fifteen million euros in the summer of 2019. Initially he was attracted as a center defender, but Ten Hag saw in him a midfielder. He had a difficult first season and sat on the couch more often than he would have liked. lvarez has made progress through extra training sessions with former the Dutch internationals Gerald Vanenburg and Richard Witschge, Ten Hag noted. The inspector agrees. “I know very well what I still need to improve on and I am working hard on that. I often stay longer at the club to invest in myself. That it is now paying off makes me happy,” the 43-time international says in conversation with The Telegraph.
Álvarez: ‘I am very happy that I did not leave Ajax’
The newspaper notes that Álvarez has made strides on the ball mainly in his orientation and comfort. “It’s getting better on the ball, but that’s a point I have to keep working on,” said the Ajax player, who explains how he tries to become a better football player. “After every workout I get to play balls at high speed for five to ten minutes. As a result, I have to become more agile and act faster.” This season, Álvarez can call himself a regular base player in the midfield of Ajax. However, he says he will not claim his starting place. “I would find that arrogant. But I come to training every day like it’s the first time and do everything I can to get better.”
Arnold Bruggink enjoys Álvarez’s development at Ajax, he announced on Sunday evening at This was the Weekend. The midfielder opened the score in the Johan Cruijff ArenA against FC Groningen (3-0) on Saturday evening with a contrary header. After sitting on the bench in the season opener against PSV for the Johan Cruijff Scale (0-4 defeat), Álvarez was drafted by Ten Hag in every official game. “His development in the team is nice to see,” said Bruggink.
Edson Álvarez’s goal can be seen from minute 0:16.
Álvarez was praised by supporters for his performance against Groningen. He was involved in the most duels of all the players on the field, twenty of them, and won thirteen of them. He won all of his eight headers. Álvarez also had the most interceptions (three) of all players on the field, but lost the ball the most of all Ajax players: twenty times. “He plays for the team, to let others play better. He is the first to interrupt a switch of the opponent. Erik ten Hag attaches great importance to that,” said Bruggink.
“He has another advantage: he can take on headers, while Timber can stay in the back. Yesterday he won all eight headers. Timber can then stay in the back, which is ideal,” said the analyst, who was impressed by the goal of Álvarez in the fortieth minute. “I thought the goal was really beautiful. It’s difficult, because you have to go back and the cross is relatively slow. Then you really have to nod it. I think it’s nice to see. Apart from Antony, who plays fantastic, Álvarez is a player who is developing. I think people are starting to see that more and more.”