There comes a point in the career of almost every player that a change is needed. For some, the motivation is financial. Others may yearn for a new experience in a different country. Then there are those who feel ready for a fresh challenge after several years of service at a club.
Marcos Alonso fits into the latter category. The Spaniard joined Chelsea in the summer of 2016 from Fiorentina for £24million and became an integral part of Antonio Conte's side as the Blues surged to the Premier League title. The wing-back has won plenty more silverware in the years since – such as the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup – but not always without incident.
Early into the 2020/21 campaign, Alonso was sidelined by Frank Lampard after the Spaniard opted to head to the team coach after being brought off at half time of a 3-3 draw against West Bromwich Albion. He was later brought back into the first-team set-up by Thomas Tuchel and was in the squad for the Champions League triumph over Man City.
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And at the start of this season, Alonso had to explain why he had decided to stop taking the knee before matches without consulting his Chelsea teammates. "I am fully against racism, and I'm against every type of discrimination," the Spanish international said. "I just prefer to put my finger to the badge where it says No To Racism, as they do in some other sports and football in other countries.
"We haven't talked about it. We are in the changing room, and we are like a family. I have a very good relationship with everyone, I love everyone, and up to now, we haven't talked about it. I don't think there is a need to, but, of course, if I have to speak to anyone, I will say the same thing I just told you, and I don't think there will be any problems."
The 31-year-old started the 2021/22 campaign in Tuchel's side but was soon usurped by Ben Chilwell. However, when the England international suffered a knee ligament injury in November, Alonso was restored to the starting XI and was the first-choice left wing-back for the remainder of the season.
Alonso made 46 appearances, but his form was patchy. There were standout displays in high-profile matches, such as in the Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the Champions League, but he was unable to offer the same dynamism down the left flank as Chilwell on a consistent basis.
In 12 months' time, Alonso will be out of contract at Chelsea – and there have been no talks held to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge. Yet there is a possibility that the Spaniard departs this summer with Barcelona interested in a deal to bring him to the Camp Nou.
And Alonso admits a return to his homeland is his preferred outcome. Speaking to Onda Cero, he said: "I have one more year on my contract. I've said on other occasions that I would like to return to Spain, but in the end, it doesn't depend entirely on me. It's clear that the desire to one day play in Spain is there."
Given the wing-back's contract situation and that he is second-choice to Chilwell, there is little sense in Chelsea fighting hard to keep Alonso at Stamford Bridge beyond this summer. Any fee offered by Barcelona is unlikely to be significant – the Blues will certainly not get back the £24m they paid – but that shouldn't be viewed as an issue.
Tuchel has spoken of a rebuild being required at Chelsea this summer, and there must be an onus on bringing in deputies with a similar profile to the first-choice star. Alonso, who earns around £150,00 a week, is simply far too different from Chilwell, something which was highlighted during the 2021/22 campaign.
Alonso has served Chelsea well over the years, although not flawlessly. He has done his time, won plenty of trophies, and is now ready to move on. And on this occasion, new owner Todd Boehly should find a way to make that happen without dragging the process on long into the summer.
