Marcos Alonso

[Tomo 21,741]

20 minutes ago, Vesper said:

Sessegnon is an interesting (and uber pricey) choice, but isn't he hellbent on being a winger/attacking MF? If he was our LB I would be over the moon.

He would cost a lot, but like with the Courtois/Kepa situation any Alonso sale would subsidize the fee if not cover it. He has been dropped for Schurrle and played at LB in the cup at Fulham this season, it wouldn't surprise me if he's back there full time before long.

[Jase 43,479]

3 hours ago, Tomo said:

I'm sorry but that just won't work.

At left back he often creeps in unnoticed into the area and causes havoc that way, if he played CF he would have specialist CB's tasked with giving him special attention, it's a totally different ball game.

No pace, average link-up play and not the strongest at holding the ball either. Might even be worse than playing Torres upfront!

[robsblubot 3,595]

4 hours ago, manpe said:

Yup, I also can't understand the logic of playing him striker. It's not like shooting is the only skill necessary to play that position. The same way I cringe when people suggest Luiz to play attacking mid just because he's an eccentric defender.

True on alonso, but that does not mean he cannot join in in attack if we are chasing a goal for ex.

Different case for Luiz though. He played many many games as a CM under Jose, and very good ones at that. Played tough away matches in that position with great success. Not exactly attacking mid, but he certainly showed qualities for that role. Reckon he did not want to pursue it because of Brazil, which was a mistake IMO.

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

First start for Spain tonight, about time and well deserved.

[OneMoSalah 8,817]

Think he played well for Spain. I think if he keeps playing well, Luis Enrique might use him as his first choice over Alba (didn’t even call him up) personally, I think defensively he can be more useful than Alba who for me has always been quite naive in that aspect of his game although he has real pace. Also Spain dropped off at times v England and even Enrique’s Barca they would sit off and soak up a bit of pressure. Also he adds more physicality, height and a good final delivery to the Spain team. Even if he weren’t to be first choice for Spain, they will be a lot more balanced under Enrique, interesting appointment. 

[Unionjack 7,531]

Bless his little heart.

Bet Alonso isn't a bad guy neither

 

[Vesper 29,272]

On 10/09/2018 at 1:53 AM, OneMoSalah said:

Think he played well for Spain. I think if he keeps playing well, Luis Enrique might use him as his first choice over Alba (didn’t even call him up) personally, I think defensively he can be more useful than Alba who for me has always been quite naive in that aspect of his game although he has real pace. Also Spain dropped off at times v England and even Enrique’s Barca they would sit off and soak up a bit of pressure. Also he adds more physicality, height and a good final delivery to the Spain team. Even if he weren’t to be first choice for Spain, they will be a lot more balanced under Enrique, interesting appointment. 

José Gayá was an absolute terror at LB versus Croatia. Far better than Alonso was in the last game, I hate to say.

[ja1 1,166]

9 hours ago, Vesper said:

José Gayá was an absolute terror at LB versus Croatia. Far better than Alonso was in the last game, I hate to say.

The reason I’d still prefer a LB who can provide width, pace going forward, ability to beat players and cross. Alonso being ‘good going forward’ is akin to him not really doing anything but popping up in the box at crucial moments.

[Unionjack 7,531]

Was a shame he didn't get the assist for Willians goal as he did a good job but not sure Willian would have got the ball without that deflection eh

Chelsea star Marcos Alonso makes hilarious fantasy football jibe following Cardiff City win

Spaniard was not happy with the Fantasy Premier League after the win over Cardiff

 

https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/players/chelsea-star-marcos-alonso-makes-15157828

 

[Unionjack 7,531]

On 9/2/2018 at 0:01 PM, Vesper said:

I am NOT bashing Alonso, I am so glad he is playing well. I think we can win a shit tonne of games because of him (far more than he may cost us on the defensive end.) I just needed to put things into perspective. 

Been chatting here about the 'what if' whether RM will come for Alonso - and with him getting slower and older who is there to replace him

My initial choice Telles is also getting to that age and I would prefer someone who will grow along with the team and be around awhile,

Was thinking Alex Grimaldo  or Gaya??

Both Manc teams looked at him Grimaldo last summer and I know Benfica knocked Spuds this summer but think they only offered £25mill. And Mou wanted Gaya this year.

They are both very similar to Alonso only faster and are better defense wise. Noth great on the ball, good passesr and a wicked left foot for set pieces.

I like them both. What ya reckon?

 

[Stats 7,072]

1 hour ago, Unionjack said:

Been chatting here about the 'what if' whether RM will come for Alonso - and with him getting slower and older who is there to replace him

My initial choice Telles is also getting to that age and I would prefer someone who will grow along with the team and be around awhile,

Was thinking Alex Grimaldo  or Gaya??

Both Manc teams looked at him Grimaldo last summer and I know Benfica knocked Spuds this summer but think they only offered £25mill. And Mou wanted Gaya this year.

They are both very similar to Alonso only faster and are better defense wise. Noth great on the ball, good passesr and a wicked left foot for set pieces.

I like them both. What ya reckon?

 

He is only 27 pal.

[Unionjack 7,531]

22 minutes ago, Stats said:

He is only 27 pal.

LOL well 28 in 3 months - but hes not going to get any quicker is he?

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Sell him this summer. Perfect time. We would make a profit at his peak when the only way is down for him. He's not getting better defensively. 

[Stats 7,072]

1 hour ago, Unionjack said:

LOL well 28 in 3 months - but hes not going to get any quicker is he?

But even at 28, that is a fairly young age. LB really start getting slower from their early 30s. Way too early to talk about replacing him based on age-wise.

[!Hazard! 3,394]

I hate how 28 is nowadays seen as old

[Unionjack 7,531]

39 minutes ago, Stats said:

But even at 28, that is a fairly young age. LB really start getting slower from their early 30s. Way too early to talk about replacing him based on age-wise.

 

28 minutes ago, !Hazard! said:

I hate how 28 is nowadays seen as old

Its not at all like I'm an ageist. All I want is the best possible Chelsea team that we can put together Habing both him and Luiz playing together makes us far too weak at the back. They are both better offensively and I would upgrade both is we could..

I've already suggested we try him out as a striker as he is far better going forward than he is defending and you must agree with that.

[Vesper 29,272]

4 hours ago, Unionjack said:

Been chatting here about the 'what if' whether RM will come for Alonso - and with him getting slower and older who is there to replace him

My initial choice Telles is also getting to that age and I would prefer someone who will grow along with the team and be around awhile,

Was thinking Alex Grimaldo  or Gaya??

Both Manc teams looked at him Grimaldo last summer and I know Benfica knocked Spuds this summer but think they only offered £25mill. And Mou wanted Gaya this year.

They are both very similar to Alonso only faster and are better defense wise. Noth great on the ball, good passesr and a wicked left foot for set pieces.

I like them both. What ya reckon?

 

You forgot my post. Telles and Gaya are more than likely off the table. Telles is only 25, so not too old yet, even I am not that harsh (plus vanity, as I am 26 so not doing to call a 25 yo too old!! LOLOL)

Bad news now. I just was digging around and José Gayà's new release clause was raised to 100m euro when he signed a new 5 year contract. So there is a huge previous option now we have to take off the table for LB's.

Also, get ready to pull the other best actually available option. Alex Telles. He is on verge of signing new 5 year deal with a reported 75m euro release clause. Porto turned down 40m euro from Bayern (they already have Alaba at LB FFS!!! Greedy cunts!) at the end of the window 3 weeks ago.

Those were by far my 2 best options (along with the probably too expensive Sessegnon), as even IF Juve finally did agree to sell us Alex Sandro in the summer, he is probably too old now. I don't think we should pay £70m or so for a LB that we on get a season and a half out of before he turns 30. Remember there are only TWO superb LB's on planet over 28. Marcelo who turns 31 in May and is slowing down to point RM want Alonso for replacement, and Jordi Alba, who turns 30 in March.

With Gaya and (grrrr) Telles off the table, it's down to a pretty small number of acceptable level replacements. Manure is not going to sell Shaw.

TBH, I would take a healthy, pre-injury level Emerson over any of these except Sessegnon. But, is THAT Emerson ever going to emerge again? I am really getting worried. Also we need to try out Baba one final time.

In order (and none of these are easy pulls, all factors taken in, Firpo is probably best shot, as the first 3 will be so hard):

 

1. Ryan Sessegnon (IF we would use him as a left back, he is by far the best option, albeit will be crazy expensive)

2. Alejandro Grimaldo - Benfica (so many big clubs want him, our odds are poor)

3. Wendell - Bayer Leverkusen  (was a beast last night in the EL) BTW, it fucking sucks that Bayer has SO many players I drool over! Bailey, Havertz, Henrichs (gone now), Wendell, Tah, Retsos, 18yo Paulinho, (a probable superstar LW), Lucas Alario (striker option not discussed a lot), and Brandt.

4. Júnior Firpo - Real Betis (new addition, been watching him for 2 years, he is ready to play EPL ball, Shitty want him badly)

5. Layvin Kurzawa - PSG

6. Raphaël Guerreiro - Borussia Dortmund

7. Dalbert - Inter Milan

8. Theo Hernández - Real Madrid

9. Ferland Mendy - Lyon

10. Kieran Tierney - Celtic

11. Marcelo Saracchi - RB Leipzig 

12. Aarón Martín - Mainz

13. Borna Sosa - Stuttgart

14. Hamza Mendyl - Schalke

15. Jorge - Porto

16. Toni Lato - Valencia

[El P. 1,354]

I don't know if I would like him to keep scoring, because that way we will never get rid of him. This way at least we can all see that he is average, including manager and board.

On the other hand I would REALLY like him to keep scoring, because this team lacks goals badly.

Tough choice.