Why Marcos Alonso is not in the Chelsea team for Tottenham amid Ben Chilwell fitness concerns

Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso looks to have played his last game for the club following interest from Spain.
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Marcos Alonso is itching to complete his move to Barcelona having missed a chunk of training last week due to the progress of his transfer.

The left-back has been told he would be allowed to leave the club now that they have signed Marc Cucurella from Brighton and Hove Albion.

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The 31-year-old has been desperate to leave Chelsea for sometime now and asked the club to allow him return to Spain where he seeks to see out what is left of his career.

LondonWorld.com sources say a deal is almost complete and the player has been left out of the team that will play against Tottenham this weekend.

Last month the wing-back told Spanish radio station Onda Cero: “On paper, I have a contract for one more year and that is where we’re at today.

“I’ve already said that I would like to play in Spain again, but it doesn’t depend entirely on me.

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“’I can’t complain about anything at Chelsea, but the desire to play in Spain is there. It doesn’t depend entirely on me and I’m happy at Chelsea, honestly.”

Ben Chilwell of Chelsea runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match  (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)Ben Chilwell of Chelsea runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match  (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Ben Chilwell of Chelsea runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Ben Chilwell fitness concerns

English left wing-back Ben Chilwell started only his first official game since November against Everton last weekend but lasted only 65 minutes.

The defender is not entirely fit and certainly not ready to be playing 90 minutes football now as he looks to get back to his best.

He hopes to regain the kind of fitness and form that will force his way back into the England team ahead of the World Cup later this year, but he is miles off at the moment.

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The arrival of Marc Cucurella is meant to ease the pressure in a potential breakdown situation, also the club is aware that the system that Thomas Tuchel employs is heavily reliant on full-backs so there is the need to tread carefully as Chilwell gets up to full speed.

Both Chilwell and Cucurella are expected to share the minutes during the London derby while Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Marcos Alonso is definitely out of the team.

He told reporters ahead of the game against Tottenham: “ He is not in training at the moment and trying to finalise his transfer, so he will not be available for the game.”