2. Can he truly be unseated from a starting spot if he stays?
Take a seat for this one because it is sure to ruffle some feathers. Remember when those who scream at their cameras were shouting about “Alonslow” and creating “Justice for Emerson” hashtags? How did that work out?
So many seemed to be so sure Emerson was the real deal because he was faster than Alonso, but they forgot that FIFA does not equate to real life and a defender has to actually, well, defend. Alonso may not be the best left back in the world, but doing his primary job before his secondary job won him Frank Lampard’s favor. The reverse earned Emerson his exile.https://theprideoflondon.com/2020/08/10/three-big-questions-chelseas-kepa-arrizabalaga-way-forward/
Many will point to this being a left back versus left wingback situation. It is not that. The two roles are not dissimilar enough under Lampard to truly make the distinction. Alonso is totally fine as a starter, especially if he has not been run into the ground (which is usually when his form has dropped under every other Chelsea manager), but he is not necessarily great.
That being said, what are the chances a new left back comes in and Alonso once again fights his way back into the starting XI? It would be hard to bet against him after everyone was so certain he had no future in blue. He is like Gary Cahill in that way; often disregarded as a relic of the past, but one who keeps finding their way into starting minutes over their perceived better rival.