Journalist claims key Chelsea duo are keen to force through January exit

Ian McGarry: Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are plotting to leave Chelsea exits in January

Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, as quoted by The Express, Ian McGarry revealed that Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are looking to leave Chelsea in January amidst a lack of game-time.

The Spanish duo have struggled to find consistent minutes at the West London club this season. The emergence of Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah has seen Azpilicueta settle for a role on the bench. 

Alonso, on the other hand, started the season in the left-wing back role. He played regularly for the opening two months before Ben Chilwell forced his way into contention. The Englishman’s injury has however handed Alonso a second bite of the cake.

Azpilicueta would be out of contract in the summer, while Alonso has 18 months left on his deal. Transfer expert Ian McGarry has revealed that the duo have talked to their agents to seal a move away from Chelsea soon.

“We are now obviously in the countdown to Qatar, less than a calendar year, and so players are getting itchy feet with regards to if they are not playing regularly, they may well miss out, especially players of a certain age. That certainly applies to Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso at Chelsea.

“Two full-backs who, at one point, looked absolutely irreplaceable, [before] the emergence of Reece James and the purchase of Ben Chilwell. Azpilicueta and Alonso have informed their representatives to find another club or certainly to find alternatives where they believe that they will get playing time.”

Their immediate hunt for regular football is understandable when one considers the FIFA World Cup that is set to be held next year. Clocking regular minutes will certainly aid the duo’s case of making the La Roja squad for the tournament.

Keep Azpilicueta, sell Alonso?

The Blues are currently facing a torrid contract situation with several of their players. Apart from Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, and Andreas Christensen are all out of contract next summer. Thus, if even one player out of the trio leaves, the club will have a vacuum to fill.

Azpilicueta is the club’s skipper and can deputise in various positions. Thus, he could help out in the coming years until we have an experienced squad in our hands. However, Alonso could be offloaded as soon as possible.

The Spanish international has looked off the paces in the past few weeks and is a liability at the back. His marauding attacking runs have also come to a stop. But the Blues do not have another full-back that can play on the left-hand side.

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However, if we do part ways with him, the transfer fee coupled with the empty space on the wage bill could enable Marina Granovskaia to sign an able deputy. Regardless, if we do plan on letting the duo leave mid-season, we need to have the replacements ready because otherwise, it could cause an imbalance in the squad.