Chelsea signed Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina in a late move on transfer deadline day in 2016 and the left-back went on to prove his worth at Stamford Bridge
Marcos Alonso celebrates a Chelsea goal with his team-mates
Marcos Alonso admitted to turning down Premier League clubs before joining Chelsea in 2016
Chelsea icon Marcos Alonso admitted to turning down Premier League offers before arriving as a deadline-day signing from Fiorentina in 2016. The full-back turned out to be an inspired piece of business, swiftly proving he had evolved considerably from his previous stints in England with Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland.
This summer marked another hectic period for Chelsea, who brought in plenty of new signings before the window closed, while numerous others departed Stamford Bridge. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro joined in time to help guide Enzo Maresca's squad to Club World Cup triumph, though the club kept finalising transfers right until the deadline.
Alejandro Garnacho's move from Manchester United was confirmed with a day to spare, while Facundo Buonanotte arrived on loan from Brighton on deadline day. Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson sealed his temporary switch to Bayern Munich and Ben Chilwell made a permanent move to Strasbourg. Chelsea hero Alonso found himself in a similar situation when sealing his transfer from Fiorentina, with the defender later confessing to having turned down other Premier League clubs.
"I am very happy to be here and to be back in the Premier League - it's a big decision, a big step in my career," Alonso told Chelsea's club website in 2016, as per the Express. "I had the chance before[to return to the Premier League], but I think it was a good thing for me to stay at Fiorentina.
"But when I knew about Chelsea, I said 'yes' in the first second I knew. I'm more ready than before and this is a very big thing.
"I think it's time to win trophies now and give my best to help the team. We have to fight for every competition. We have top players, we're a top club so we're going to try and win every competition we play."
Marcos Alonso signs for Chelsea
Marcos Alonso signed for Chelsea on 31st August 2016(Image: Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Alonso had a stellar first campaign at Stamford Bridge, quickly making the left wing-back spot his own as Antonio Conte's squad claimed the Premier League title by seven points. The Spaniard scored six goals and provided three assists in 31 league appearances.
The ex-Bolton and Sunderland defender continued demonstrating his value under different Chelsea bosses, even after Chilwell's arrival from Leicester City in 2020. He remained at Chelsea for six seasons, lifting the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup during his stint with the Blues.
Alonso featured 212 times for Chelsea, finding the net 29 times, before moving to Barcelona in September 2022 following a mutual agreement to part ways. The 34-year-old joined Celta Vigo last year after a two-season spell at the Nou Camp.
Marcos Alonso and his Chelsea team-mates celebrate with the Premier League trophy
Alonso celebrated winning the Premier League in his first year at Chelsea
The full-back isn't the sole Chelsea star to demonstrate his quality after a deadline day arrival. Ashley Cole's contentious move from Arsenal was completed on the window's final day in 2006, while Claude Makelele also proved a crucial addition as the club entered a new era three years earlier.
Cole Palmer's move from Manchester City is a recent example of how last-minute deals can prove fruitful. Yet, there's still time for Chelsea to complete further transfer dealings, even though the domestic window has closed.
The Blues might consider the later deadlines in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, among other places, as ways to move on other squad members. Axel Disasi was previously linked with other clubs, while Tyrique George and David Datro Fofana saw their respective deadline-day transfers to Fulham and Charlton fall through.
However, Chelsea manager Maresca's main priority will be to get the best from his revamped squad after the international break. The Blues are set to face Brentford away this Saturday, followed by a trip to Bayern Munich in the Champions League next Wednesday.
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