Juan Familia-Castillo keeping options open between Ajax, Chelsea, Juventus

Young Chelsea prospect Juan Familia-Castillo became an unlikely topic of conversation this past summer, when he was repeatedly linked with Juventus, often as part of the Maurizio Sarri compensation talks.

But while Sarri did end up leaving, the 19-year-old left back / winger stayed, at least for a brief while longer. Eventually he also departed, on loan with an option to buy, going back to his previous club, Ajax Amsterdam from where he joined Chelsea three years ago.

It’s a somewhat circuitous journey even by Chelsea Loan Army standards, but the Amsterdam-born Dutch international just wants to figure out the best situation for himself.

“Things had happened so I finally chose Chelsea. Chelsea is a big club, so I’m happy with my choice anyway. [But] if I can be loaned out to Ajax, that is absolutely beautiful.

“I would’ve actually gone to Juventus, that was the number one. This was canceled due to certain reasons and transfers. Now it’s up to me to continue.”

“Ajax has hired me with an option to buy. If I do well, I hope that I get bought and that I get more minutes in the Eredivisie. Ultimately, you want to be bought, because that would mean you have done well. Of course I am also open to Chelsea, but at the moment the plans are as they are.”

Okay, so to recap, he’s open to Chelsea, he’s open to Ajax, he’s definitely open to Juventus, he’s technically a Chelsea player, he’s on loan at Ajax, and he dreams of Juventus. Ajax have an option to buy, but he also signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea before heading out on loan. Phew! It’s good to keep your options open, I suppose.

In more immediate matters, Castillo could get make his senior Ajax debut this coming weekend thanks to Nicolás Tagliafico’s suspension. Castillo has only featured for the Ajax youth team since returning from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

“I do not know what is going on in the head of the head coach, but I am happy how things are going now. I am patient. Of course I hope I play, I hope my chance will come.”

-Juan Familia-Castillo; source: VoetbalZone via Google Translate

Castillo claims that he’s patient, but his chosen path doesn’t necessarily back that up. It’s unfortunate, since there should be room to make an impact at Chelsea, too, with only Marcos Alonso, Emerson, and an even younger Ian Maatsen in the picture for the left flank.