AZ Alkmaar striker Myron Boadu says he probably would’ve joined Arsenal a few years ago if he hadn’t taken the time to think over his options more fully.
Boadu is still just 18 years old, but he’s having a big impact in senior football in the Netherlands at the moment.
The striker has six goals and eight assists in 12 games so far this season and played a part in both goals AZ Alkmaar scored in the Europa League on Thursday. That could well be a story we see developing further in the coming weeks, as AZ have Manchester United in their group.
Boadu’s career could have gone in a very different direction though, as he drew interest from Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal as a 15-year-old.
The youngster took a trip to England and spoke on the phone to Donyell Malen, who was with the club at the time, but he decided against joining in the end.
“When I was there, I was really impressed. If I had to decide on the spot, I would probably have done it. But I don’t think you should make those kinds of choices too quickly,” Boadu told VI.
“After returning to the Netherlands I slept on it overnight. The next day I knew: I wanted to stay at AZ. I had the same feeling after my conversation with PSV.
“Some talents might have made a different choice. But for me it was simple: I thought it was too early for the move abroad and AZ had a better story than Ajax and PSV.”
Malen and Boadu have both been showing recently that there are more senior chances available for a young player in the Netherlands. Perhaps Boadu wouldn’t have developed in the same way if he’d made his move to England back then.
If he keeps progressing in the way he has been though, it won’t be long before the Premier League clubs come calling. A goal against United could well bring the timetable forward a bit.