Dynamo striker Alberth Elis has not been shy about his desire to play in Europe and he reiterated that recently on Honduran TV.
Elis, 24, joined 2001 MLS MVP Alex Pindeda Chacon on “Con Pineda Chacon” for an hour long interview on Honduran Network Deportes TVC this past weekend, discussing his career and his future.
Elis has been a “polarizing” figure in a good way in Houston. His blazing speed and “off the rails” disruptive style of attacking presents problems for opponents while bringing width and penetration to the Dynamo attack.
His ability to get into the box also has produced goals and, many including me, love the “panther crawl” celebration which brings entertainment value. His sheer out-and-out pace forces teams to defend deeper in many cases.
He has an excellent return of 30 goals in 82 apps after coming on loan and then, ultimately, being purchased by the Dynamo.
Elis expanded on his move from Monterrey in Liga MX to Houston:
“Monterrey bought me for two million and sold me for 4.5 million after a year, I think it was a good deal. But they (Monterrey), once the Dynamo bought me, because they thought they were not going to buy me, I remember that the president of Monterrey called my agent, that they wanted the Dynamo to loan me back. The Dynamo did not want to, they just bought me, why would they loan me?”
Elis’ valuation has been bantered about the last few years in the media and sometimes it is hard to decipher if these are numbers boosted to enhance a position of an agent or club. It is common practice in the world of football but numbers to purchase him went as high as 8-9 million dollars and rumored links to clubs in Europe also surfaced.
In the time of COVID-19, transfer window values of players are down due to clubs and owners changing financial positions, plus Ellis is in his final year of his contract.
Could someone come in for Elis this summer? Possible but Elis could also sign a pre-contract and leave on a free in January.
Could the Dynamo throw money at him to stay? Yes, absolutely, but money might not curb the dream of Europe for “La Panterita” not to mention the Dynamo like MLS are in “survival mode” like many in the world.
Elis made it clear to Pineda Chacon that he will be on a different club in January.
“Yes, England is always my dream but I know, most likely, that if I want to go to England, first I have to go to another league , prove myself there and then try to make the leap. Well, this is my last year here at the Dynamo, its the last year of my contract.
I would have liked that this year had been different. But we already know with everything that is happening, we do not know how the year will end. God first, the sure thing is that in January I will be on another team.”
Elis, per the 2019 MLS Player Association, earned $650,000 yearly salary.
