Chelsea must hold on to Marcos Alonso amidst Real Madrid interest

After Eden Hazard, Marcos Alonso is another of Chelsea’s superstars who has attracted significant interest from the Madrid clubs. As The Sun claims, both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are planning to launch bids at the eleventh hour to sign the highly-rated Spanish left-back before the transfer window draws to a close. Chelsea are willing to negotiate if an offer of €60m is made.

Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui wants to include Alonso in his plans for the current season while Atletico want to sign him as a replacement for Filipe Luis should the Brazilian leave for PSG.

In Marcos Alonso, Chelsea have one of the most adventurous full-backs in their ranks. He is arguably one of the best in his position, not only in terms of defensive abilities but also in the way he contributes to the attack.

The 27-year-old joined the Blues from Fiorentina back in 2016 and greatly contributed to Chelsea’s Premier League win in the 2016/17 season. He has an envious record for a full-back, having scored 14 goals, with all of them coming in the Premier League.

The Spaniard is one of the most versatile footballers in the team and has apparently found it very easy to adapt to new manager Maurizio Sarri’s tactics after Antonio Conte left the club. He had also flourished in Conte’s back-three system.

Alonso is technically gifted and looks comfortable with the ball at his feet. Not only is he very composed defensively, he also boasts of excellent aerial ability. He rarely dives into challenges. The Spaniard has a very cool head on his shoulders and is tight with his marking more often than not. He occasionally tends to leave open spaces for the opposition to exploit but that is more due to the coach trying to make more out of his offensive abilities.

The left-back also poses a significant threat from dead-ball situations due to his free-kick ability. His movement in the final third is so subtle and his finishing is so very clinical that sometimes he looks like a striker who mistakenly chose to ply his trade as a defender.

It is not only his attacking prowess that pleases the eye but also the quality of his goals that make him look like a specialist striker. Like most defenders, Alonso is not one dimensional when it comes to scoring goals. He can find the back of the net with his head, from crosses and corners, with both feet from inside the box and from free-kicks outside the box.

The Spaniard has continued his good form this season as he went on to provide the assist for Pedro and score the winner in Chelsea’s 3-2 home victory over Arsenal.

As the Guardian claims, Real Madrid are going to make one final effort to lure Eden Hazard to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Alonso, as versatile as he is, will be key to the rearrangement in Chelsea’s team dynamics should Hazard leave the club.

Chelsea do have the luxury of a reserve left-wing back in the form of Emerson Palmieri but he is still inexperienced at the highest level. The Brazilian-born Italian international also excels in the attack and in defence but still has a long way to go in his career.

A player of Alonso’s calibre is hard to replace and Chelsea must do anything and everything to keep hold of him. He is definitely one of the superstars at the club and will be pivotal to Chelsea’s Premier League challenge.