“I’ll keep an eye on it” – Oxford United backed to strike fresh Chelsea transfer agreement
This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Alex Matos spent last season on loan at Oxford United from Chelsea and helped the club maintain its place in the Championship.
The 20-year-old arrived during the January transfer window, and made 20 league appearances as the team finished 17th in the table.
The midfielder did not contribute a goal or an assist, but earned the support of the fans for his performances under Gary Rowett.
With the season now over, the player will return to Stamford Bridge, where a decision will need to be made over his future as he approaches the end of his contract in 2026.
Alex Matos’ impact at Oxford United
When asked about Matos’ future, FLW’s Oxford fan pundit Luke Nigel claimed that the player ingratiated himself with supporters with how he played for the team.
He highlighted the youngster’s athleticism, suggesting that he was used out of his expected position under Rowett but that he stood out regardless.
“Alex Matos is a loanee that came in January and definitely made an instant impact with the Oxford United fanbase,” Nigel told Football League World.
“He is somebody that featured 20 times since joining in January, oddly playing higher up the pitch in that no.10 role, rather than as one of the deeper centre-midfielders in the double pivot.
“That is a role we’ve seen him take up in the previous season with Huddersfield, and that is the player we thought we were signing.
“However, he was first deployed in the no.10 role by Gary Rowett for one reason, and one reason only, to help us get higher up the pitch and win the ball back in the final third a little bit more.
“Rowett also praised his athleticism, he is a player that can run relentlessly for 90 minutes and that isn’t something that is very common in the group of players we currently have in the Oxford side.”
Alex Matos’ future
Nigel expects any decision over the player’s future to come late in the window, but he would like to see the club push to sign him on a permanent basis.
“I think long-term if we were to try and sign him back, he would feature in that deeper role in the six or the eight, but he just struggled to break that incredible partnership of Cameron Brannagan and Will Boulks in the run-in to the end of the season.
“But, for a loan player, he gave his all in the Oxford shirt and that is all you can ask of.
“I believe he’s got one more year left on his deal at Chelsea, and he’s going to have many, many clubs interested in him.
| Alex Matos – Oxford United league goals and appearances (per Fbref.com) | ||||
| Season | Appearances (Starts) | Goals (Assists) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 20 (10) | 0 | ||
“I, and many Oxford fans, would love to see Alex Matos return to the Kassam Stadium next year on a permanent deal.
“And I’m sure the recruitment team will be in close contact with him.
“However, I’ll keep an eye on it.
“I think he will probably assess his options and if he were to move away from Chelsea it will be later on in the window.”
Matos proved a valuable addition at Oxford
Matos was a solid addition at Oxford, with his defensive work off the ball in particular standing out.
While he still needs to improve on the ball, he is young enough that this could come with greater experience.
Given he has one year left at Chelsea, a permanent deal this summer is a likely outcome and the U’s should be in the mix to sign him as long as it’s affordable.
He could prove a very useful long-term addition in one of the deeper roles if he can maintain this level of strong defensive output.
Ex Chelsea star labelled ‘fantastic’ by Carlo Ancelotti available on free transfer
A former Chelsea midfielder once labelled ‘fantastic’ by Carlo Ancelotti has been made a free agent following his release from Championship side Oxford United.
EFL clubs are finalising their retained lists following the end of the 2024/25 campaign with just the play-offs left to play. Ex Blues winger Victor Moses is one of the players released and he is joined by Josh McEachran.
The former Chelsea youngster has been playing his football with Oxford United since 2023, having left Stamford Bridge in 2015. McEachran has made 49 appearances for the U’s but did not see minutes for the side in the league after December last season.
Josh McEachran released by Oxford United
The midfielder managed 22 first team appearances for Chelsea but spent most of his time at the club on loan. Spells at Swansea City, Middlesbrough, Watford, Wigan Athletic and Vitesse came between 2012 and 2015 before a permanent switch to Brentford.
McEachran won the League One play-offs with Oxford United in 2024. A statement from the club on Friday read: “Oxford United have confirmed the list of players to be retained and released following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. Josh McEachran, Joe Bennett, Max Woltman, Eddie Brearey and George Franklin will depart the Club following the expiration of their contracts this summer.
