Marcos Alonso has noticed similarities between Maurizio Sarri and former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, and has drawn comparisons between the two.
As reported by Daily Mirror, Marcos Alonso has likened his current Chelsea manager to Spain head coach Luis Enrique, claiming that there are distinct similarities in their styles of play as well as training methods. The former Barcelona manager will oversee his first game in charge of La Furia Roja, when they play England at Wembley.
A new era is dawning in Spanish football. There had been a few uncertainties following the controversial departure of Julen Lopetegui, who had agreed to join Real Madrid prior to the start of La Furia Roja’s World Cup campaign. He was briefly replaced by Fernando Hierro, before former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique was appointed as the head coach.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have started off strongly under their latest manager, Maurizio Sarri. With four wins in as many games, the Blues are loving life under the Italian tactician, whose possession-based style has fit in well at Stamford Bridge.
One player who is seemingly be revelling in Sarri’s system in place at Chelsea is Marcos Alonso. The left-back has started the season in stunning fashion, with a goal and four assists in the first four games, which has helped him earn a recall from former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique into the Spanish National Side.
Having joined up with his teammates in international football this week, Alonso seems to be enjoying life under Enrique. So much so, that he has gone ahead and compared the former Barcelona manager with Sarri, as far as the coaching styles and training methods are concerned.
“Things are working well [at Chelsea]. I’m very happy. With Luis Enrique I see similar things. It is modern football that is played lately. Have the ball, control the game, and be well placed when the time comes when the ball is lost.”
“Both when you attack and when you defend, you must do everything according to the possession. The placement is fundamental. That is why the training sessions are similar to those of Spain: possession, exit of the ball. These are similar concepts [between Sarri and the former Barcelona boss].”
Alonso’s observation indeed seems to be accurate, in that both Sarri and Enrique prefer a possession-based style that is pleasing to the eye. The systems employed by the Chelsea boss as well as the former Barcelona manager aren’t the only similarities though, with Alonso also comparing the training regimes.
The style employed by Enrique should suit Alonso as well, and it will hardly be a surprise if he produces another solid outing against England, if selected. For now, the Chelsea superstar is enjoying life under Sarri as well as the former Barcelona boss, and all the signs point towards a fruitful season ahead.
