Now entering his third season at Stamford Bridge, Marcos Alonso has had the left flank on lockdown since his introductory steps in Chelsea blue.
He ruled the land under as a wing-back under Conte and has developed a key relationship with Hazard and Kovačić under Sarri as an attacking fullback. Meanwhile, he’s scored more goals than any other defender in the Premier League.
In short, he’s been excellent, especially after being written off as a panic buy on deadline day in summer 2016.
While our focus on renewals has been mostly on Eden, it is imperative that other players receive their due attentions in this regard as well. Alonso is approaching the halfway point of his contract, so it makes sense to not only reward his contributions, but tie him to the club for a few more years beyond 2021 — especially with summer rumors of a move back to Spain appearing.
“What I can say is that I am very calm and very happy at Chelsea, and that the club must also be with me because, although I still have two years left on the contract, they have offered me an extension.
“We are talking about it and the talks to renew are already advanced. If everything goes well, I think I will renew before the end of this month. In the coming days.”
Alonso is represented by his father, Marcos Alonso Peña, a former footballer with notable stints at Atlético Madrid and Barcelona in his playing days. This allows Marcos (the third of his name: grandfather Marcos Alonso was a Real Madrid legend) to focus on Chelsea and the Spanish national team.
“Who deals with that is my father, who is the one who handles the negotiations. I am 27 years old, I still have two more [years] ahead and I am going to extend my contract.
“What concerns me is to play as well as possible to win matches and titles with Chelsea and repeat with the National Team. I’m calm with regards to my contract.”
It’s a testament to Alonso’s quality and versatility how well he has played under both Conte and Sarri, two head coaches who have very different approaches to the game in all phases.
“I feel comfortable with both formulas. I also had the three centre back system in Italy, and it went very well for me. I liked playing as a wing back, above all because of the offensive protection that you have in this position.
“But I also like to play with the current Sarri system, which is also very similar to the way Luis Enrique plays. In modern football the position, the placement of the team and the occupation of the spaces are important.
“Luis Enrique insists on this, as [does] my coach at Chelsea. For my part I am comfortable and adapted to this football. My natural site is left-back in a defence of four, but you have to be ready to help the team in what the coach claims.”
-Marcos Alonso; Source: AS
With any luck, there will be plenty more years of Alonso on the Chelsea left flank, and on the Chelsea scoreboards.
Sign Him UP!