He's not at the Eddie Mac or Ashley level but Marcus is could be right up there at #3 one day.  Better than Babayaro, Minot or Myers? Luis or Del Horno?

 

 

 

14 hours ago, Jackbuchanan said:

Our total expenditure on Alonso, Kanté and Hazard is around equal to what Manure paid for Pogba. 

As funny as it is mocking Pogba for banter purposes, he would have been perfect in a 3-4-3 next to Kante.

13 hours ago, Scott said:

He's not at the Eddie Mac or Ashley level but Marcus is could be right up there at #3 one day.  Better than Babayaro, Minot or Myers? Luis or Del Horno?

 

 

 

Not sure about Filipe Luis cause he's clearly a good player who didn't get a chance here. Maybe assess Alonso after a few years though. But I must say he's been a revelation this season.

Awesome player and only getting better it seems
We need to bring someone in to help him with his goal celebrations though

He's by far the best attacking LB we've had for a long time. Great eye for goal and very good technique. Long way to go before he matches Ashley Cole's defensive ability though!

I actually thought he was decent during the first half of the season, but he's really stepped up his game in 2017. His defensive positioning has improved, his free kicks have become a real threat and even his finishing has improved.

Of course he still takes forever to accelerate but overall he's been a shrewd buy by a shrewd manager. 

Alonso have been very good for us so far, but I think we need a second option for LWB next year with the increased number of games. Someone like Ghoulam, who has different attributes (Pace, 87% pass succsess, better crosser) vs Alonso (Better defending, shooting). It wouldn't cost that much either, when Ghoulam is refusing to sign a new contract with Napoli and he only have 1 year left on his contract.

When we signed him I thought what the f**k. Proved me massively wrong. I really rate him him. My mates a Liverpool fan and thinks he's amazing do it's not just us. 

Fits the system perfectly. To be fair I think it shows how well Conte can develop a defender. I mean look at Luiz. 

I'm glad he's doing well here, and I celebrate when he scores and what he brings to the team, but that business in Spain really leaves a sour taste in the mouth. I struggle to connect with him as a player unlike all the others.

I hope he continues his good run of form until the end of the season and into next.

2 hours ago, OverAndOut said:

I'm glad he's doing well here, and I celebrate when he scores and what he brings to the team, but that business in Spain really leaves a sour taste in the mouth. I struggle to connect with him as a player unlike all the others.

I hope he continues his good run of form until the end of the season and into next.

What business in Spain? 

He's been an integral part of our play this season, I was pretty sceptical about his signing in the summer as I really didn't understand it. However, I have to say I couldn't have been more wrong. Alonso has been outstanding this season, chipping in with important goals for us as well.

 

I'm glad we signed him and it gives me the faith to trust whatever signings Conte wants to make in the summer, he clearly knows what he's doing. 

I remember when we signed him, a lot of Fiorentina fans were happy to be rid of him.........they didn't even know what they were selling.

2 hours ago, benjsross said:

What business in Spain? 

I'm assuming it's about the drunk driving incident.

He was the whipping boy for many supporters this season, but I thought he was superb for the whole campaign.

He achieved so much more than we ever anticipated when we first signed him and Conte found a way to make him an asset for the team.

We need a back up for him so they can be rotated

1 hour ago, Brutos said:

We need a back up for him so they can be rotated

Baba?

Baba had a great delivery on him if I remember correctly, although much of last season has been repressed. I reckon Conte could improve him defensively and he could be a pretty decent backup

Edited May 13, 20179 yr by BenCFC19

21 hours ago, Brutos said:

We need a back up for him so they can be rotated

Agree, especially with Champions League football coming up next season.

To get 6 goals in any season for a wing back is bloody fantastic. Even the most attacking FB/WB don't get those figures. Brilliant piece of business.

21 hours ago, BenCFC19 said:

Baba had a great delivery on him if I remember correctly, although much of last season has been repressed. I reckon Conte could improve him defensively and he could be a pretty decent backup

 

Agreed, look at what he's done with our current WB's. We shouldn't condemn anyone at this stage, let Conte do his stuff in pre-season

On 5/13/2017 at 13:21, BenCFC19 said:

Baba had a great delivery on him if I remember correctly, although much of last season has been repressed. I reckon Conte could improve him defensively and he could be a pretty decent backup

What season is that you speak of? The mind draws a blank.

I like him.  He is not the greatest player in the world (as mentioned elsewhere Ashley Cole in that role would be awesome).  However, he gives great balance to the team and is always available when an out-ball is needed on the left side.   

Well played Marcus 

It's clear Conte is not a huge admirer of Alonso.  He is now consistently (if preseason is any indication) our first sub, and we've had to revert back to the old Azpilicueta on the left type scenario.  If it's not Sandro we bring in, it's going to be somebody meant to compete and ultimately win the left wing back job

20 minutes ago, TheChelsRVA said:

It's clear Conte is not a huge admirer of Alonso.  He is now consistently (if preseason is any indication) our first sub, and we've had to revert back to the old Azpilicueta on the left type scenario.  If it's not Sandro we bring in, it's going to be somebody meant to compete and ultimately win the left wing back job

I thought the commentary team said yesterday that Alonso was possibly struggling with a hamstring problem which is why he was withdrawn. 

Not sure I agree Conte isn't a fan because once he started picking Alonso last season in every game he was fit for expect early rounds of cup competitions. 

Let's not forget he was probably the best and most consistent left back/wing-back in the league last season. 

 

Not a bad days work for Marcos today....Best left back in the league.