Chelsea wing back Marcos Alonso says he has no regrets over leaving Real Madrid to pursue a career in England.

Alonso left his hometown Madrid in 2010 to join Bolton Wanderers, and since went on to play for Fiorentina, Sunderland and now Chelsea.

His move to Stamford Bridge was initially questioned, as Alonso didn’t necessarily impress at Bolton or Sunderland. But it is fair to say he has been a revelation at Chelsea, and he played a huge part in their title success last season.

The 26-year-old has come out recently and said leaving Madrid has made him less well known as a Spanish footballer, but insists it was the right thing to do for his career.

“I lacked the patience to play there,” Alonso told Marca. “In my final season there, I got my debut but I wanted to play every week. When I had an offer from the Premier League, I had no hesitation. I don’t regret it.

“When you are a kid, you aren’t mature and you want to get up and play every week. I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m very happy with my career and I want to improve even more.

“Real Madrid was my home for a long time and I’ve not forgotten it. I grew up there, I met a lot of people and I made my debut. There’s part of me that will always be there, I can’t deny it. To play for the first team was a dream.”

Asked if players who leave Real Madrid are valued less, he said: “They’re not valued less, but it’s true that they are not as well known as those who are in Spain.”

Alonso also spoke of his ambition to one day play for Spain, and hopes to make their squad for next year’s World Cup.

“I think I can contribute a great deal to the team,” he said. “But right now, I’m worried about my matches with Chelsea and it’s not a subject that concerns me a great deal because in the end the decision isn’t mine. I can only do what I can on the field, and that’s why I’m trying.

“To win a ticket for Russia, first I have to win with Chelsea.”
[Quotes via Goal.com]