How Atletico Madrid move can help Marcos Alonso to revive his career

Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso is enduring another difficult campaign this season. 

The Spaniard has been left out of Frank Lampard’s squad on multiple occasions this term, and as such, Atletico Madrid is reportedly willing to revive their interest in Alonso. 

The Madrid-born player was heavily linked with Los Rojiblancos last summer, after featuring sparingly under Maurizio Sarri in 2018-19.

Although Alonso stayed put at Stamford Bridge, the La Liga outfit are once again looking to rescue the 29-year-old by offering him a chance to return to his native country. 

Alonso has been linked with a host of clubs lately, including Newcastle United, Juventus and Inter Milan, and Atletico are the latest to enter the fray.

Marcos Alonso: Player profile

Interestingly, Marcos Alonso began his footballing journey at the youth academy of Real Madrid.

He managed to play for the senior team just once and was shipped off to Bolton Wanderers in 2010. 

After three seasons with the Whites, Fiorentina came calling in 2013, and it was in Italy, that Alonso developed into a flying left-back, capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch. 

The Spaniard spent the second half of his debut season with Fiorentina, away on loan at Sunderland, helping the club retain their Premier League status. 

Upon his return to the Serie A, Alonso became a regular with La Viola, for whom he would go on to play 85 matches across all competitions, whilst chipping in with five goals and seven assists, in total. 

Return to Premier League with Chelsea

His scintillating form with Fiorentina prompted Chelsea to sign him on a five-year deal, worth £24 million, in the summer of 2016.

Since then, he has amassed 140 appearances for the Blues, contributing with 22 goals and 17 assists. 

While Alonso was a regular feature under Antonio Conte, since the Italian tactician’s departure, he has struggled for playing time at Stamford Bridge. 

Under Maurizio Sarri, the 29-year-old nearly left the club to join Atletico Madrid.

But the Spanish giants failed to meet the Blues’ demands, with the Premier League outfit slapping a £40 million price tag on the player. 

Under Frank Lampard, it has been a similar story, as Alonso has featured just 20 times this season across all competitions, and it is believed that Atletico Madrid could revive their interest in the full-back, who has three years remaining on his current Chelsea deal. 

Atletico Madrid and Marcos Alonso: A perfect match

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is eager to sign a quality left-back. While Renan Lodi has done well in that role, the club do not have a proper back-up to him in that position. 

Centre-back Mario Hermoso has occasionally filled in at Lodi’s place, but the signing of Marcos Alonso would be a much-welcomed move. 

As per reports, Chelsea are eager to mount a serious title challenge next season, and they have spent heavily in the transfer market.

While they have already signed Ajax ace Hakim Ziyech, RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner is also reportedly on his way to Stamford Bridge. 

The Blues are also interested in signing Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell, which would most certainly spell the end of Alonso’s Chelsea career. He has been deemed expendable by the London outfit, alongside fellow left-back Emerson Palmieri. 

On the other hand, Atletico Madrid are looking to add strength and depth to their squad, after having endured a difficult campaign as they currently sit sixth on the La Liga table.

However, Diego Simeone’s men are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, at the expense of defending champions Liverpool. 

The verdict:

Marcos Alonso would be wise to force a move away from Stamford Bridge, in order to gain regular playing time. 

At Atletico Madrid, he might have to fight it out with Renan Lodi, but being in his native country would certainly uplift his spirits.

For their part, Chelsea can earn some cash from Alonso’s sale, which they can utilize to sign Ben Chilwell, who won’t come cheap by any means. Such a move would suit all parties involved. 

All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.co.in