The Spanish left-back has flourished in a left wing back role in Antonio Conte's 3-4-3 system and has revealed that his time in the Italian topflight has helped him raise his game.

"Italy is a very competitive league, where most of the teams wait for you,It was a great two years in Italy, I played a lot of games and gained experience in a different league.

'So you pick up new stuff, new ways of doing things, on and off the pitch, and I think that has made me a better player, and also more mature mentally.”

Alonso lined up in the same formation as he had for Fiorentina in the previous season and as such knows what is required of a left-wing back.

"I had to get used to that when I went there [playing at wing-back], but over the last couple of years that's been the system that I have been playing. Most of the time I was a left wing-back in the line of the five, but I also sometimes played as a left centre-back.


In both games that he has started since his move last summer,the blues have recorded two shut-outs and will look to continue that impressive run on Sunday when we welcome Manchester United to the Bridge.