MARCOS ALONSO says he is not quitting Chelsea this summer despite interest from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Left-back Alonso had been linked with a return to Spain after being frozen out by Maurizio Sarri towards the end of last season. But the 28-year-old insists he wants to remain at Chelsea under new boss Frank Lampard […]
MARCOS ALONSO says he is not quitting Chelsea this summer despite interest from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Left-back Alonso had been linked with a return to Spain after being frozen out by Maurizio Sarri towards the end of last season.
But the 28-year-old insists he wants to remain at Chelsea under new boss Frank Lampard and is happy to fight to prove he should be first choice ahead of Emerson this season.
Alonso said: “I signed a new contract last year and I’m very happy here.
“I don’t know if there’s been any contact, you will have to speak to Marina [Granovskaia] about that.
“I have four more years here and I’m very happy.
“The last three years have been amazing and I want more of that. I want to keep playing and winning things.”
In the space of 12 months under former boss Sarri, Alonso went from one of the first names on the Chelsea team-sheet to an outsider.
Brazilian Emerson ousted him from the left-back position, and when he was an unused sub in the Europa League final against Arsenal it seemed Alonso’s days at Chelsea were numbered.
But since then Sarri has left for Juventus, and with the arrival of Lampard in charge the Spanish international believes there is hope of a recall.
He added: “I think it’s a fresh start for everyone.
“Last year is part of the past and now I just want to keep working, enjoy playing and to help the team win and get better.”
Chelsea are currently in Japan as they continue their pre-season programme ahead of the start of the new campaign.
Lampard faces a difficult trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
