Chelsea wielding the axe on this 85-game defender would be wise amidst interest from Serie A giants

Why the time is right for Chelsea to sell Marcos Alonso to Inter Milan

Inter Milan are discussing a move to sign Marcos Alonso, as per Calciomercato (h/t ESPN).

The Spain international joined Chelsea from Fiorentina in August 2016, signing a contract that will expire in the summer of 2023. Alonso has played 85 times for Chelsea since signing from Fiorentina, scoring 5 goals and creating 7 assists.

As a member of Spain’s national football team, Alonso has won 3 caps. The 28-year-old is a key transfer target for Inter this winter, with Antonio Conte being a long-term admirer (h/t ESPN).

Inter need to make an impact in the winter transfer window and Alonso would provide a good variety to Inter’s defence. He was an instant success at Stamford Bridge as the Blues romped to the Premier League title under Conte. However, in the seasons that have followed his maiden campaign with the West Londoners, the 28-year-old has had to share game time with Emerson Palmieri.

This term, Emerson seems to have usurped Alonso, featuring more times in the Premier League despite being sidelined for a number of weeks due to an injury. Unsurprisingly, a drop in stature has given way for Inter to potentially swoop in.

Inter acquired Cristiano Biraghi on a season-long loan deal last summer but he has failed to impress so far this season.

Kwadwo Asamoah has been a consistent figure as the left wing-back in Conte’s system but injuries have been piling up for the Ghanaian defender, meaning that the former Chelsea boss needs to bolster his squad in January. To that end, Alonso would be a viable target for Inter Milan.

The Spanish international is familiar with Conte’s system from the manager’s time with Chelsea and is quite reliable as a left wing-back.

Verdict

Marcos Alonso is a utility player and perfectly fits Conte’s style of play. The 28-year-old is capable of strengthening the current Inter squad and would be a good buy this month. Also, with Reece James coming into his own this season, Azpilicueta has been deployed at left-back which has put Alonso further down in the pecking order.

Thus, Chelsea should cash in on the defender and sell him to the Serie A giants.