Marcos Alonso almost left Chelsea on deadline day despite Thomas Tuchel recall
Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso reportedly nearly left Stamford Bridge late on transfer deadline day, before Barcelona pulled the plug.
The Blues decided before deadline day that they didn’t want to let the defender go.
Thomas Tuchel gave him his fourth start of the season against Burnley on Sunday after Frank Lampard essentially froze him out of the side.
Alonso had been heavily linked with a move away before the window began, but Tuchel reportedly wanted him to stay around.
Even so, he was subject to late interest from Barcelona, reports in Spain claim.
Barca were in talks to send Junior Firpo to AC Milan late in the window.
If the deal would have gone through, the Catalans would then have moved for Alonso, claims Mundo Deportivo, via SportWitness.
Milan were desperate to sign Firpo throughout the winter window, and wanted to bring him in on loan.
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The Serie A leaders were apparently on the verge of sealing an agreement.
As a result of the deal collapsing, Alonso will now stay and fight for his place in the Chelsea side under Tuchel.
The left-back scored his first goal of the season against Burnley on Sunday, firing into the top corner from close range after an impressive team move.
Tuchel insisted the decision to drop Ben Chilwell and give the Spaniard a run-out in the team was a tactical choice to attack from out wide.
And Alonso declared he wants to use the match as a springboard and secure more opportunities in the side.
“It’s been a while since I played but I’ve been working hard and I’m just happy that I was ready for today,” he said. “A lot of things have been said out there but I like to work, be quiet and talk on the pitch so that was for the fans. It’s good to get the reward and hopefully there will be more to come.”
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