Marcos Alonso to Chelsea: Latest Transfer Details, Comments and Reaction

Chelsea have completed the signing of Fiorentina full-back Marcos Alonso on transfer deadline day.

The Blues announced the transfer on Wednesday and provided reaction from the Spaniard on his move: 

"

I’m very happy. It’s a step up in my career and I think this is the perfect place for me to continue developing. It’s time for me to win some titles.

It was an easy decision for me to make when I heard the club were interested in signing me. My family and close friends know Chelsea is the club I have dreamed about playing for so I’m really excited about the challenge and I'm looking forward to working with my new team-mates.

"

The 25-year-old is no stranger to English football―he played for Bolton Wanderers for three years until 2013 and spent half a season on loan with Sunderland in 2014. Alonso failed to impress during both spells, but in Italy he finally found the form that made him such an intriguing talent while he was a member of Real Madrid's academy.

David Amoyal of Gianluca Di Marzio's website was impressed with his performances last year:

The Spaniard is an attacking full-back with plenty of experience playing as a wing-back, and he also has versatility to move further up the pitch. He's an excellent crosser with solid athletic ability and a healthy work ethic, and he's frequently seen running down the touchline.

Defensively, he's improved during his time in Italy—as is often the case for players—but it's in the attacking third where he'll earn his keep.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

While Alonso isn't an out-and-out defender, he'll add to head coach Antonio Conte's options in a different way: His presence would allow Cesar Azpilicueta to move to the right side, which could free up Branislav Ivanovic to play as a centre-back.

Alonso may not be the big-name defender fans were hoping for, but he's also not the fringe prospect who failed to make the cut at Bolton that some may remember. At the very least, he'll add depth and energy.

Conte loves to work with players and bring out the best in them―he did it with Emanuele Giaccherini to great success during UEFA Euro 2016―so there's no reason to believe he can't do the same with Alonso.