Burley also said Marcos Alonso has passed his prime and struggles when he is asked to defend alongside two central defenders
By Mosope Michaels
Former Blues midfielder, Craig Burley, has said Spanish defender, Marcos Alonso, may do well as a wing back but he is a disaster when asked to fill the left-back position.
He made that comment when discussing on ESPN FC, about the ongoing speculation that Barcelona are interested in the Chelsea defender.
The Blaugrana have been linked with a move for Alonso as Xavi continues implementing his plans to overhaul his squad ahead of next season.
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According to Burley, the 31-year-old will not be able to fit into Barcelona’s style of play and the transfer may end up being one that the La Liga giant may regret.
The former Chelsea midfielder also said Alonso has passed his prime and struggles when he plays with just two central defenders.
Burley said: “Here is where it just falls flat on its face for me. For a long time now, Marcos Alonso has struggled as a left-back. I think Marcos Alonso has superseded expectations in the last two or three years, particularly before Chilwell and when Chilwell has been out, as a wing-back. But he struggled at left-back. He struggled when he didn’t have a Rudiger or a third centre-back outside him to cover him.
“Correct me if I am wrong, somebody will have to tell me the last time Barcelona played consistently with three at the back with wing-backs, it just doesn’t happen. When you look at that as a position and when you look at his age, yeah it might be cheap and cheerful and it’s something they can do, but he struggles as a left-back, certainly in the latter part of his career when he has had to go back there and defend one-on-one.”