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This week has seen Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri hold aloft left-back Marcos Alonso for praise. The Italian has stated his belief that the swashbuckling full-back could be the best left-back in the world after his excellent start to the season at Stamford Bridge.
Such comments must no doubt bring out a regretful hindsight for Sunderland fans.
“Alonso I think at the moment in this position, left-back, he is maybe the best in Europe,” said Chelsea’s head coach.
“Physical qualities at top level, I think. He’s doing very well in the offensive phase. I also think he can improve in the defensive phase. He could be the best left-back in the world.”
Alonso joined Sunderland on loan from Fiorentina in the winter of 2014. He went on to be a key member of the Sunderland side that narrowly escaped relegation to the Championship that season.
After 20 appearances for the club, they had an option to buy Alonso outright from La Viola. Sunderland,, decided to negotiate and an offer of £2 million plus flop defender Modibo Diakite did not do the trick.
Fiorentina kept hold of the player, with he could have been Sunderland’s for just £5 million. The Italian side He has since gone on to become one of the most feared left-backs in the Premier League. He won the Premier League in 2016-17 and the FA Cup in 2017-18.
It is a reminder of the poor recruitment and transfer policy Sunderland were adopting that has led to their demise into League One.
But things are a lot different now, with the general feeling the club is in safe hands again. It certainly feels like the chance to sign a player of Alonso’s class would not go begging again.