{"id":6228,"date":"2026-09-27T19:04:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T19:04:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6228"},"modified":"2026-09-27T19:04:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T19:04:51","slug":"chelsea-bid-for-real-madrid-star-in-the-summer-but-failed-alonso-reunion-is-a-blessing-in-disguise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6228","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea bid for Real Madrid star in the summer, but failed Alonso reunion is a blessing in disguise"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It has emerged that Chelsea made a surprise bid for a Real Madrid defender, a move that would have seen him reunite with Xabi Alonso. But the stats suggest it would have been a mistake.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chelsea<\/a> made three defensive signings in the summer, aside from Emi Martinez. Marco Palestra, Pep Chavarria and Maxence Lacroix arrived for the best part of a combined \u00a3120m. But it hasn\u2019t worked.<\/p>\n

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The constant flow of goals has scuppered Chelsea\u2019s chances of a successful start to the season. Others were targeted, but according to the stats, things would have been worse if they had signed Raul Asencio.<\/p>\n

Chelsea tabled bid for breakthrough Xabi Alonso player<\/h2>\n

Asencio, 23, has now clocked up 80 appearances for Madrid at senior level. A lot of those came under the guidance of the current Chelsea boss. Ekrem Konur<\/a> claims Chelsea made a bid for him in the summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cReal Madrid\u2019s Asencio received three major offers last summer, including from Liverpool, Chelsea and a financially strong Turkish club. The presence of Huijsen and Konat\u00e9 increases exit chances,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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RATE 1-10: Lacroix confirmed, how good is Chelsea\u2019s \u00a352m deal? \ud83d\udd25<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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But according to the stats, Asencio would have been a poor signing. Aside from a plethora of defensive options, the Spaniard would have been a waste of time. His lack of duels won is a particular concern.<\/p>\n

The defender is no better than what Chelsea currently have, and failing that, his discipline issues on and off the pitch are a problem. He has 15 yellows, two reds, and a drink-driving charge on his record.<\/p>\n

Premier League centre-backs need to win 60% of aerial duels<\/h2>\n

Despite Asencio\u2019s physical presence, Asencio has managed to average just 56% of aerial duels won, a major red flag for Premier League teams who require at least 60%. Lacroix averages around 62% of wins.<\/p>\n

This is a player who has made four major errors leading to goals in his 80 Madrid outings. While that does not sound like much, Madrid are not a side that concedes regularly, and the errors occur in big games.<\/p>\n

Asencio would have cost a lot of money \u2013 he is a Real Madrid academy player now in the first team and playing regularly, even if he\u2019s yet to play a single minute under Jose Mourinho due to an injury.<\/p>\n

Alonso might know him well, but the defender is not cut out for Premier League football, and he makes far too many defensive errors. Lacroix might have struggled initially<\/a>, but Asencio would have been worse.<\/p>\n

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