It has been over two months since Marcos Alonso arrived at Barcelona, signing on a free transfer after his contract at Chelsea was terminated. And safe to say that the Spaniard has settled in well at his new club and is a player that Xavi Hernandez relies on quite a bit.
The Spanish international recently sat down for an interview with SPORT and Mundo Deportivo, during which he discussed his transfer to Barcelona, his past stint with Real Madrid and various other topics.
On supporting Barcelona since a young age: “In my house, we have always been from Barça and in the end, it was the team that my father belonged to. And I am very happy to be here in the team of his life and hopefully, it will be mine for a few years as well.”
On his time at Real Madrid: “At first it was complicated. After doing the trials a bit reluctantly, I was called to go. My parents laughed. In the end, it was the best thing to develop me. I was there for many years, I grew as a footballer and as a person and I cannot say otherwise.”
On his first memory as a Cule: “The most special memory was the first time I came to Barça. It was in a Clasico. I was lucky to go down to the locker room after the players were gone. It was Iniesta’s first year if I’m not mistaken.”
On why he chose to join Barcelona this year: “At any point in my career, if you ask me which team I wanted to play for, I tell you that my basic desire was to play for Barça, like my father did. Maybe it was another risky decision, getting out of my comfort zone, but it’s a beautiful project that motivates me a lot.
“After so much time away, playing in La Liga before the end of my career was something that I wanted.”
On having signed just a one-year contract and whether he wants to stay for longer: “Hopefully, I am very happy to be here. The project is beautiful, it motivates me a lot. There will be time to think about this. Now I am focused on the field.”
On his thoughts when Cesar Azpilicueta renewed at Chelsea: “I was calm because I was doing well at Chelsea, where I had been for many years and I felt loved and respected. I was looking forward to coming here but calmly because I was happy there and focused on the preseason at Chelsea.”
On when he received a call from Xavi: “I don’t remember, really. It was more in summer.”
On Alejandro Balde: “He is a player with great conditions and a lot of projection. I don’t like comparisons, everyone has their conditions.”
On Jordi Alba helping him adapt: The atmosphere in the locker room is very good. Obviously more with those who I already knew from the national team. Jordi is among them and he did do a bit as a captain with his important weight in the locker room and helped me in the first days.
On whether he expected to play more than he has: “I think it’s early to talk about that. I’m happy, playing in a position I’ve never played before, but if the team needs it, I try to adapt it to do my best to help the team.”
On whether he has played at centre-back in a four-man backline before: “With a line of four no. At Barça, it is the first time. Because of the injuries and everything, it’s what the team needed, and I’m always trying to adapt.”
On if he feels comfortable in the position: “Yes, it is not my natural position, where I have been playing for many years, but if the team needs it, I am there.”
On Xavi’s message to him: “Above all, that we play calmly, without fear, is the message that he always gives to everyone.”
On earning a call-up to the World Cup: “It is Luis Enrique’s decision. It is up to me to play for my club and be in the best possible condition. Now I feel very good, as a winger or centre-back, the important thing is to play and we will see what the coach says on the 11th.”
On being part of Gerard Pique’s farewell: “It was very special and an honour for me to be able to partner him at the centre of the defence in his last match at Camp Nou. He is a player I have been watching for so many years since I was a child. The atmosphere was very nice. I’m happy for him and I congratulate him on the career he’s had. He can retire very calmly.”
On the atmosphere at Camp Nou on Saturday: “The field was full after the game was over, the people with the lanterns and Geri’s speech were all very special.”
On Pique: “He is a player with personality, a leader in the locker room. For younger people, like me, who have been seeing him for practically a lifetime, he is a great example. As the coach said, his career speaks for itself. He is an example of Barcelona and as a player in general.”
On the young crop of players at Barcelona: “I’ve only been here for a short time but we have many young people with a lot of projection. Some are already great players and over time they will assume more responsibility and leadership and will become the captains, hopefully, of another generation just as good as this one, hopefully.”
On the Champions League exit: “I think we started with a little bit of bad luck in the Munich game, when we could have easily gone into the break 0-3 or 0-4. And as a result of that, perhaps a little doubt entered.”
“But I think it’s a new project, with young people and it hasn’t happened. It’s a complicated situation because we all wanted to get through the group stage but we have to put that aside and focus on everything else, which is not a small thing, and we’ll think about the Champions League, hopefully next year.”
On whether winning La Liga is an obligation now: “For a team like Barça, you have to be there for all the titles. It is a goal that is there, we are going to try. You have to go little by little, three points at a time, and fight for each point as if it were the last because each one will be important.”
On Andreas Christensen: “He came for free, from another country, he is young but he has fantastic conditions and with Andreas, Barcelona have a central defender for many years.”
On Lionel Messi return rumours: “Messi is, with Diego, the best footballer of all time. Who wouldn’t want him on his team and more with everything he’s done here! Surely anyone would be delighted.”
On whether he will take free-kicks for Barcelona: “I take them in training and hopefully soon in matches. We haven’t had many. Hopefully soon.”
On the pressure at Barcelona: “The bigger the team, the more pressure, this is obvious. You have to use it to help yourself, motivate and, if possible, work harder so that everything goes well.”
Favourites for the World Cup: “There are many good teams. Brazil, Argentina, France, defending the title, but a World Cup depends on many things. They are all great but you have to have a bit of luck, arrive well and hopefully Spain wins this time.”