Chelsea weren’t interested in selling Marcos Alonso during the summer despite strong interest from Atletico Madrid, it has been reported.
What’s the story?
Before this season, Alonso had been Chelsea’s first choice left-back. Since signing from Fiorentina in 2016, he has made 121 appearances for the Blues, netting on 18 occasions, and he was even the top-scoring defender in both of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 Premier League seasons.
However, he has been pushed out of the side by Emerson, who has started all of Chelsea’s Premier League games this season, and according to The Athletic, there was strong interest in him from Atletico Madrid during the transfer window. But, the Chelsea board weren’t interested in selling due to Frank Lampard’s arrival and the two-window transfer ban.
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A good decision
Since the start of the new term, Alonso has had to make do with a place on the bench at Stamford Bridge. As previously mentioned, Emerson appears to have become Frank Lampard’s first choice, having started all of the first four previous league games as well as the UEFA Super Cup final against Liverpool.
But, although the Spain international is unlikely to be too happy playing a reduced role in the Chelsea squad, it makes perfect sense that he would not be allowed to leave south-west London this summer.
At left-back, Emerson and Alonso are the only two choices available to manager Lampard. Unlike in other positions, there are no younger players who appear to be in the former Derby County boss’ immediate plans.
There was no way the former Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland man could leave. What if there had been an injury to the man ahead of him? His departure would have left the squad light on that side of the backline.
Furthermore, there is no reason why the 28-year-old won’t get a chance to prove himself throughout the campaign. After all, Chelsea have played just five games and it will no doubt be an arduous season with Champions League commitments alongside three domestic competitions. There is still plenty of time for him to return to the starting XI on a regular basis.
Although they may have been able to bring in a big transfer fee with him being valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, it was a wise decision by the hierarchy to keep him at the club. Next year, the situation may be different, but for now, there is still plenty Alonso can offer Chelsea.
