Marcos Alonso might be Europe’s best left-back, says Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has hailed left-back Marcos Alonso after another superb performance in the Blues’ 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Spaniard, who has been rewarded for his form with a recall to the Spain squad, set up Eden Hazard’s goal against the Cherries and continues to impress in a slightly more reserved role to the one he was used to under Antonio Conte.

Alonso is being used as a traditional left-back in a back four under Sarri, rather than as a wing-back, but that hasn’t stopped him from contributing in the final third.

After just four games this season, the 27-year old has one goal and two assists to his name, and Sarri believes Alonso could be the best left-back in Europe at present.

“Alonso, at the moment, (in) this position at left-back is maybe the best in Europe,” Sarri told reporters (via the Independent) following Chelsea’s latest victory.

“Physical qualities at a top level, I think. He’s doing very well in the offensive phase. But I also think he can improve in the defensive phase. If he improves that, he could be the best left-back in the world.”

Four wins from four for Chelsea

Only six managers have won each of their first four Premier League games:

Jose Mourinho
Guus Hiddink
Carlo Ancelotti
Craig Shakespeare
Pep Guardiola
Maurizio Sarri

Half did so as Chelsea manager. pic.twitter.com/04FmDC41pk

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 1, 2018

The Blues’ win over Eddie Howe’s side now means that Chelsea have registered 12 points from a possible 12 this season, and former Napoli boss Sarri says he’s been delighted with his side’s early season form.

He said: “At the moment I’m very happy with my players. They improved very well during the week and in matches. I’m really very happy to have 12 points from four matches, but I always think we can do more. We can improve. Especially in the performance, of course. We can improve.

“I am happy with the result and I am happy with the performance. It was a very difficult game. They are very organised defensively, and defended very well. The first half, the situation was difficult. Maybe we needed to move the ball at another speed, and maybe more movements without the ball. But in this kind of match, usually you can win in the last 20-25 minutes. So I was always confident.”

“I think that, now, for us it’s better to think about the next match. The gap at the beginning was 30 points (to Manchester City last season). I think it’s very difficult to recover this gap in only one season. I’m very happy with the four matches, but I think only, starting from now, about the next match. Not until the end of the season.”

Next up for the club is a home match against Cardiff in a fortnight after the international break.

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