Thirteen months ago it looked like Marcos Alonso's Chelsea career was limping towards an unhappy conclusion.
The wing back had been banished by Frank Lampard after a falling out following the draw away to West Bromwich Albion in September 2020, when the head coach substituted him at half time and then became furious that he had apparently spent the second period on the team bus.
Come the transfer window there was clear interest from clubs at home and abroad. Except Lampard was sacked before Alonso could be sold and that sparked a remarkable turn in personal and club fortunes.
