Marcos Alonso has admitted that he would love to play in La Liga before the end of his career. The wing-back has often found himself the subject of transfer speculation during his time at Chelsea, with links to Inter Milan as recently as last summer, while a move always felt on the cards during his fractuous relationship with Frank Lampard.
However, despite up and down performances, the 31-year-old has proved himself a valuable member of Thomas Tuchel's team this season. With Emerson Palmieri on loan at Lyon and Ben Chilwell's ACL injury ruling him out for the rest of the season, the German coach has had little other option to turn to.
The Spaniard made just a single appearance for Real Madrid after graduating from their Castilla side and found himself plying his trade for the likes of Bolton, Sunderland and Fiorentina before arriving at Stamford Bridge. A return to his homeland has never been too far away from his mind.
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“I would love to play in La Liga, all my life I have wanted to play and be here in Spain, but the circumstances have been different and not everything has depended on me. At the moment I am focused on this season and what has to be, will be,” Alonso told AS, via Sport Witness. Pushed on whether he could play for Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona due to his familiar connections, Alonso was more coy. He added: "Yes, yes, I have family ties on all sides… Chelsea right now. I have a contract for this and one more season.”
The Spanish international still has much that can be achieved with the Blues this season but come the end of the term will reach a pivotal point in his contract, with just 12 months remaining. That leaves a big decision for both Alonso and Tuchel to mull over. Providing the club are successful in a takeover, and are consequently allowed to complete transfers this summer, it could be Chelsea's final opportunity to earn a fee for the player. Allowing deals to enter their final months has certainly provided uncertainty for the Blues in the case of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta.
However, it was not too long ago that Alonso declared how happy he was at Chelsea as he bathed in the Blues' success following the win over Palmeiras in the Club World Cup. He said: "I feel great here. I have always said it. I think the way I play you can see that I’m happy here. But there are also other people who have to make decisions. I just want to help, I just want to be important and lead by example. This is the main thing. We all showed character in the Club World Cup final. None of us gave up."
Would he like his stay as long as his international teammate Azpilicueta? He added: "Why not? For me I still have another year-and-a half on my contract. It’s a question where maybe I don’t know the answer and it doesn’t just depend on what I want." If Chelsea hope to keep on competing there is little time to be sentimental, and the former Bolton ace appears to have already hinted the choice will not be in his hands. Alonso showed some of his finest form in the early parts of the season, and while he has not reached the same heights, has filled in admirably during Chilwell's injury absence.
The veteran has featured 33 times this season, only Rudiger, Mason Mount, Jorginho and Edouard Mendy have appeared more times this term. Though, Tuchel's willingness to play with a back four and Malang Sarr at full-back since the turn of the year has suggested Alonso is not the automatic option he was at the start of 2021/22.
When Chilwell returns, it's likely the former Leicester star will slot straight back in to the line-up, while Emerson Palmieri could even return to Cobham. There will be new competition, and Tuchel will have to decide who is good enough to give Chelsea the extra edge to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool. There were plenty of rumours of a new wing-back throughout January, and they may not be too far away again.
