According to a recent report by the Metro, Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso is determined to seal a move to Atletico Madrid later this summer after being omitted from the club’s starting lineup in their 4-1 victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League final.
The Spaniard has enjoyed a successful spell at Stamford Bridge since making a move from Fiorentina in the summer of 2016. He has won the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the UEFA Europa League during his time with the Pensioners.
However, Alonso has struggled to prove his worth for the West London outfit in the recently concluded Premier League campaign. His defensive credibility has often been questioned by fans and media alike, so it is no surprise that he is being linked with a move away from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
If Maurizio Sarri ends up staying at West London, then he would need to find a suitable replacement for the Spanish full-back. Let’s take a look at three alternatives for Sarri to consider in this offseason.
Alejandro Grimaldo
The Liga NOS defensive ace has been among the most productive full-backs in European football this season. He has scored seven goals while grabbing 13 assists for Benfica this term across all competitions. He will not only bolster Sarri’s full-back options but will also provide some healthy competition for Emerson Palmieri at the West London club next season.
Ben Chilwell
The Leicester City left-back is one of the quickest players in Premier League football. He has already proven his worth in the English top-flight, and unlike Alonso, he knows what it takes to put in a consistent run of performances on the pitch.
The 22-year-old has earned five assists in 36 appearances for the Foxes this season.
Ferland Mendy
The French full-back has lit up the Ligue 1 by putting in a string of eye-catching displays for Olympique Lyonnais during the recently concluded French top-flight campaign. The La Havre youth product has featured in 44 matches for Lyon this term, registering three goals while creating three assists in all competitions.
All three defenders have tremendous attacking potential and are reliable defenders when facing their own goal, which makes them ideal candidates for the Pensioners to consider ahead of the new season.
