Mueez Ajao
– Defender Marcos Alonso was not included in Chelsea’s line-up for their opening match of the Premier League season against Everton as he wants to leave the club, manager Thomas Tuchel said on Saturday.
– Barcelona might have missed out on one Chelsea full-back in Cesar Azpilicueta, but they are confident of signing Marcos Alonso.
– The Spanish international left-back has been keen to join Barcelona for several months and it appears he may finally get his wish. Sport say that a deal has been agreed for Alonso to leave Chelsea for a fee of €10m.
Also Read: Alonso and Kepa save the day for Chelsea
– Mundo Deportivo also believe a deal will be signed off soon, with Alonso reportedly bidding farewell to the staff at Chelsea’s training ground. However the deal might not be executed just yet.
Marcos Alonso is not part of Chelsea squad today as deal with Barcelona is really close – matter of final details then it will be completed in the next days. 🚨🔵 #FCB
Callum Hudson-Odoi also not in the squad today. #CFC pic.twitter.com/8F804g1ar5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 6, 2022
– “He asked to leave and we agreed to his wish,” Tuchel told reporters after his team beat Everton 1-0 for their first victory at Goodison Park since 2017.
– “That is why it would not have made sense to put him on the pitch.”
Marcos Alonso to Barcelona, matter of time as revelaed yesterday. Also Thomas Tuchel has confirmed he wants to leave: “Yes, Marcos asked to leave and we agreed to this”. 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB
“It would make no sense to put him on the pitch today”, Tuchel added via @AdamNewson. pic.twitter.com/FJs4dDyfnE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 6, 2022
– The 31-year-old Alonso arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2016, being a central part of the team throughout the subsequent seasons.
– Barcelona had been keen to sign both Alonso and Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, but the latter signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge with the Catalan club’s finances hampering their ability to make signings.
– Chelsea lost defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers during the summer before signing Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella to bolster their backline.
– Despite Saturday win, Tuchel said the team’s defence was not up to par against Everton.
– “All three of our players in the back three are in their 30s and we struggled a bit in general at the end of the game,” Tuchel said.
– “We need to improve our physical level and we are on it.”
– Everton defender Ben Godfrey was admitted to hospital following a challenge from Kai Havertz early in the game.
– “It feels like it is a small fracture of his leg. We are assessing that. He will be out for a while, Yerry (Mina) has an ankle injury and could be out for a while,” Everton manager Frank Lampard said.
– “When it rains, it pours.”
– As Barcelona struggle to register players, it is likely that they pull the trigger after their first league match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday the 13th of August.
Barcelona are closing on Marcos Alonso deal! Barça and Chelsea are finalising the agreement, working on the last details in order to get deal completed very soon. 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB
Been told final fee will be less than €10m. Personal terms already agreed three months ago. pic.twitter.com/e7YGDcTD8H
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2022
– If the figures are true, €10m is not a small price for a 31-year-old with just a year left on his contract, as is the case with Alonso. However it is likely that anyone of international quality would still have cost the Blaugrana more than Alonso.
