Marcos Alonso has spoken about his ‘complicated’ past at Chelsea after a good start to the new season under current manager Thomas Tuchel.
Alonso arrived at the club from Fiorentina in 2016, before becoming a key part of Chelsea successes in the following three years, in which time they won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League titles.
But he struggled for game time throughout Frank Lampard’s one-and-a-half year tenure at Chelsea as well as during Tuchel’s early months in charge last campaign, with Ben Chilwell often selected ahead of him in the starting lineup.
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But, Alonso has been favoured ahead of the England international so far this season, starting six of a possible seven top flight matches.
‘The truth is that yes, it has been complicated in the past. It is something that happens to all footballers at one point in their career, that you have a coach who does not count on you or you are not to their liking,’ he said.
‘But I have always tried to do my best. I showed even when playing with Frank Lampard at that time that I was ready to help the team.’
When asked about Tuchel’s style of play, Alonso explained why it is different to former Blues boss Antonio Conte, who the Spaniard also played under at Stamford Bridge.
‘If we compare with Conte, who also played with the system of five defenders, we have even more freedom now to arrive in attacking positions and a little less defensive responsibility, but it depends on the rival and the game,’ he added.
The 30-year-old’s performances so far this term have earned him a recall to the Spanish national team squad, something he wants to happen on a more regular occurrence.
‘More than anything, little by little people in Spain are getting to know me. I have had a career abroad, people see La Liga more than the Premier League there and it may have been surprising, but I know what I am capable of and what I have been doing for years,’ he said.
‘I have felt recognised and loved in all the teams I have played in. In Spain is where they know me least, less than in Italy or England, but it is normal. In the end people are familiar with what they see more often.
‘Where I can get noticed is on the pitch and I have always tried the maximum to do that. In the end it is the opinion of each coach to choose whoever they want and you have to respect them.
‘The truth is that for a long time I have taken the national team as a bonus. In the end I play for my club and try to do my best. If I am lucky enough to come to the national team, I take it as a reward for that work.’
