Thomas Tuchel confirms Marcos Alonso is set to leave Chelsea amidst links to Barcelona
According to Football London, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that he and the club have agreed to Marcos Alonso’s wish of leaving the club and joining Barcelona.
Speaking to the media after his side’s 1-0 win over Everton, Tuchel said that Alonso’s decision led to him not involving the player in the matchday squad travelling to Goodison Park for the club’s first Premier League game of the 2022/23 season.
He tries to leave and we agreed to this wish. He would’ve been on the pitch otherwise but in this situation, it was the right thing to do.”
Alonso has been challenging for that left-wing-back spot with Ben Chilwell for the last two seasons. With the latter picking up the ACL injury in December 2021, the former had more chances to play in that position in the second half of last season. He ended up making 46 appearances in all competitions in the 2021/22 campaign.
Chelsea signed the Spanish international back in 2016 from Fiorentina for a fee of around £24m, when Antonio Conte was in charge. He played a big part in the Blues winning the Premier League in 2017.
Having already signed Marc Cucurella from Brighton to challenge for that left wing-back spot with Chilwell, the club must feel comfortable to let go of the 31-year-old.
Alonso should go down as an icon at the club. He has done his part in bringing silverware to the club and stayed for a few years even when he knew he wasn’t first choice for the manager down the left flank.
Chilwell and Cucurella can compete for starts down that flank while Alonso will get the chance to return to his home country. It remains to be seen what colors Alonso will be wearing once the transfer window ends.
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Even if it is those of the Blaugrana, Chelsea fans would take comfort in the fact that there is ample depth down the left flank. We can’t say the same about the opposite side of our defence, with Cesar Azpilicueta also linked with a move to Camp Nou.