Now don’t get me wrong, Marcos Alonso will not be getting my vote for Football of the Year – but he would very much get in my Team of the Year and be a contender for signing of the season.
I have been a huge fan of Alonso for a long time, in February 2014 he ran the show in the Tyne-Wear Derby when Sunderland won 3-0 at St James’ Park. He was brilliant that day.
Football INDEX Talk – Marcos Alonso available at just £0.63 – probably needs more column inches, to get his price up because his performances have been top-notch
He went onto Fiorentina and it did not shock me to see Chelsea paying over £20million for him him. Elegant but strong in the tackle, he is a modern day full-back without being one of these up and down run all day types.
Since November, no Premier League defender has scored more goals than Marcos Alonso's five. Decent signing.
— Jake Cohen (@JakeFCohen) April 8, 2017
Yes the chance to a back three has seen Alonso flourish – although he can play anywhere down the left, but he has shown this season that he is as good as any left-back in world football for me.
Five goals this season, great covering work – but he has gone largely unnoticed. Many of the plaudits have gone on the other side of the pitch to Victor Moses, and rightly so as he has been re-born in this role – despite the fact Alonso has been the better player, he doesn’t get the same fanfare because he is playing his natural role and he doesn’t seek the publicity like some.
Yes N’Golo Kante is the signing of the season, little doubt about that, and then I would name Sadio Mane – but after that nobody has been better than Alonso. Consistent in what he does – he impacts both ends of the field, as his five goals tally has proven.
And his five goals is a clear sign of how well the Antonio Conte system suits him but also that he is very under-estimated by some teams – they just don’t see his marauding runs coming.
Largely forgotten about in his native Spain – the one time Real Madrid youngster is set to be handed a call-up to the full Spanish squad and rightly so given his form this term. Yes it would not be easy usurping Barcelona’s Jordi Alba, but considering Nacho Monreal is in the squad – he is so far ahead of him, it is untrue.
So yes Marcos Alonso won’t get much credit, when do left-backs? But let’s not forget just how much of an impact this boy has had on Chelsea when they are lifting the Premier League trophy in May – I am sure Antonio Conte won’t.