Marcos Alonso: Atletico Madrid in talks to sign Chelsea full-back on loan

Spaniard has not featured in Frank Lampard’s matchday squad since the end of September

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Atletico Madrid are in talks to sign Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso on loan in the January transfer window.

Alonso has been sidelined from Frank Lampard’s first-team plans and has not featured in Chelsea’s Premier League squad since the end of September, when he was substituted at half-time during the Blues’ 3-3 draw with West Brom.

Emerson Palmieri has risen above Alonso in the pecking order and Chelsea are prepared to allow the Spaniard to leave, although Ben Chilwell’s recent injury inevitably raised concern.

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Alonso, who was born in Madrid, spent 11 years at rivals Real before moving to Bolton Wanderers in 2010. He is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2023.

Marcos Alonso has fallen out of favour under Frank Lampard (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Atletico currently lead La Liga and Diego Simeone has used both Renan Lodi and Yannick Carrasco as left-sided full-backs this season. Simeone has often employed a five-at-the-back formation and Alonso is considered well-suited to a wing-back role.

Both Alonso and Emerson were previously of long-term interest to Inter Milan but, while the latter has attracted interest from both the Premier League and abroad, he is expected to remain at Chelsea until at least the summer in the event of Alonso’s departure.