Who the hell is Marcos Alonso? Meet Chelsea’s newest (like, actually new and not new-old) signing in Volume 4 of our get-to-know-you series.
Marcos Alonso’s signing and fabulous head of hair took a backseat to David Luiz’s splashier deal and unkempt coiffure. Alonso was undeterred, and is impatient to get on with things. He announced upon his signing that “It is time for me to win some titles.”
Name: Marcos Alonso
DOB: 28/12/1990
Nationality: Spain
Position: Left-back, midfield
Chelsea fans’ expectations for Marcos Alonso are nothing compared to the family legacy he carries with him. His father and grandfather – both named Marcos, because why make it easy on us – each made significant contributions to Spanish football and the Alonso family trophy room.
Marcos Alonso, Sr., commanded Spain’s highest transfer fee at the time on a move from Atletico Madrid to FC Barcelona. He had 22 caps for Spain, including an appearance in the finals of the Euro 1984 tournament. Grandfather Marcos Alonso won five European Cups and six La Liga titles at Real Madrid, in addition to two caps.
Marcos Alonso (the one playing for Chelsea, the only one we’ll talk about from here on) played for Real Madrid at all youth levels. He made only one first team appearance at Real Madrid before departing Spain for the Premier League and Bolton Wanderers in 2010.
Alonso never found much a rhythm at Bolton. He made only nine appearances while spending significant time training with the reserve team. After Bolton was relegated for the 2012/13 season, Alonso found greater success under new manager Dougie Freeman. He made 30 appearances and scored four goals for the Wanderers, and earned Player of the Year honors in fan voting.
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He opted not to renew his contract at Bolton, and went to Fiorentina on a free transfer. He played the first half of the season in Serie A before Fiorentina loaned him back to the Premier League, this time to Sunderland. Sunderland’s manager and former Chelsea player Gustavo Poyet wanted to keep Alonso after 20 appearances for the Black Cats. But Alonso sufficiently impressed his home club that they brought him back for the next season.
After this rocky, transient start Marcos Alonso found his stride at Fiorentina. He had 61 appearances since returning to Serie A, with a career-high three goals and four assists in the 2015/16 season.
Alonso’s ball-handling and passing abilities will give Chelsea more options playing out from the left side. As Antonio Conte transitions Chelsea to a three-man back-line, Alonso will evolve into a left wingback. His versatility as a defender and midfielder is an essential component to a 3-5-2 formation, which often becomes a 5-3-2 in defense.
Alonso’s arrival will restore Cesar Azpilicueta to right-back. In Chelsea’s match against Burnley, Azpilicueta showed a new tendency to charge forward on offense, running overlap patterns with the midfielder. Antonio Conte likely sees Azpilicueta as a future right wingback, and is beginning that shift now.
Chelsea still needs to sort out the centre-back situation to build a solid back-three. Once they do the Spanish wingback pair will be free to bring the “chameleon” to life.
Alonso has patiently awaited his return to a world-class club since departing Real Madrid. He will be the first Chelsea player to wear the #3 jersey since Ashley Cole vacated the left-back spot in 2014. Hopefully Chelsea will be his place to add to his family’s legacy.
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