Maurizio Sarri may have landed some exciting names in the summer transfer window but Chelsea have stars who are now wanted by clubs around Europe.
Wing-back Marcos Alonso has made a cracking start to the league this season but his form has now seen Spanish sides Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid linked with a move for him this summer.
Spanish news outfit AS claim that he could be up for grabs at just €30m, but can Chelsea afford to lose him?
Alonso And His Numbers
The Spaniard started his career with Real Madrid and moved to England for the first time with Bolton Wanderers, where he spent three long seasons, not making a real impression. However, he stepped up at Fiorentina and earned a move to Chelsea as Antonio Conte signed him during his first year in charge there.
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Alonso was crucial in Chelsea’s title win and was also one of the most consistent players for the club last season. Playing as a wing-back, the 27-year old started 33 Premier League games, registering seven goals and two assists. He averaged 1.4 interceptions, 1.5 tackles, and 1.8 clearances per game last season and was one of the best players in his role.
To add to it, he also had a passing accuracy close to 80% and averaged just over a key pass per game, making him effective at both ends of the field.
With Sarri taking over Conte, Alonso had to shift to a left-back role, and he was expected to struggle in a back-4. However, in the first two games this season under the new manager, the Spaniard was one of the best players for the Blues, already registering a goal and an assist.
With 1.5 key passes, two tackles and 4.5 clearances on an average per game this season, he certainly has been effective in the new system and has shown his worth yet again.
Is A Move On The Cards?
With three years left on his current deal, Chelsea have no real reason to give in to the interest from the La Liga sides. Alonso may be tempted to move back to Madrid, where he started his football career but he is only expected to be a back up to Marcelo at left-back, and it makes no sense for him to leave a first-team spot in London to move back to the Spanish capital.
Chelsea have Davide Zappacosta for a similar role but Alonso seems to have bought into Sarri’s system pretty quickly and with no chance to replace him this summer, Chelsea should do all it takes to hang on to the 27-year old at least till the end of the season.
Stat Credit: Whoscored.com