Though we might be proved wrong but it seems Chelsea are on the verge of completing their first ‘panic-buy’ this summer, at least when the transfer fee is taken into consideration. According to reports, Chelsea are close to agreeing a £23m deal with Fiorentina for left-back Marcos Alonso. It is harsh on the player with various outlets branding him as a ‘Bolton reject’ but his transfer fee has certainly raised eyebrows.
Chelsea had started off swiftly in the transfer market as they signed Michy Batshuayi early on and then proceeded to add N’Golo Kanté to their ranks. And on early evidence both the players have settled in well with Kanté especially impressing immediately. But Chelsea have looked susceptible in defence for a while now and though their attack seems to be reenergized from the lacklustre last season, the backline seems deprived of confidence and is clearly lacking in depth. And to rectify the issue, Chelsea have been involved in the transfer market for quite a while now. But they have had to return empty-handed every single time after apparently being quoted absurd prices. This trend has been a common occurrence especially when English clubs come calling and though it is believed Chelsea do have the financial clout to fork out the prices quoted for their targets, it is a fresh approach from them to at least try haggling.
Marcos Alonso is a product of the Real Madrid youth product and played 39 times for the club’s B side finding the net on three occasions. The marauding left-back made just a single first-team appearance back in 2010, as a 90th-minute substitute, before making his way to Bolton Wanderers for a fee in the region of £2.2m.
This move surprised quite a few in the football fraternity but a move to the Premier League seemed to have enticed the player then. But he failed to nail down a starting role and in the 3 years at the club made 35 appearances, with most of them coming after the club had dropped down to the Championship.
He is presently at Fiorentina and has developed into a much better player as he helped them to a 5th place finish last season. Initially, he had a 6-month loan spell at Sunderland as he enhanced his Premier League experience.
The 25-year old has enhanced his game and has added various facets to his game. He is a good passer of the ball and is at ease delivering key passes higher up the pitch. He is good in the air and his tackling and ball-interception has increased considerably.
He will add depth to their backline and give added option to Conte to use Azpilicueta at right-back in some matches with Ivanovic providing cover at centre-back. Chelsea fans might argue about the logic behind sending Baba Rahman out on loan and spending £25m on a new player, but it would be in the best interests of the Chelsea fans to have trust in their new ‘Godfather’’.
