Coyle delighted with Alonso capture
Bolton Wanderers manager, Owen Coyle, says it is a real coup for the club to have signed Real Madrid's Marcos Alonso on a three year contract.
Alonso was looking to make a move away from the Spanish giants because of Jose Mourinho's refusal to state whether the left back would be given a fair chance during the course of the approaching season.
Alonso was being courted by a number of other clubs, including Benfica of Portugal, but it seems it was the attraction of the Premier League that drew the player in to joining Bolton on a long-term deal.
The defender has many qualities that Coyle is obviously very excited about. However, the club will have to work very hard at protecting their new player because he is quite a small man and could find the physical demands of the Premier League quite difficult.
Reasons to be delighted
There are many reason for Coyle to be delighted because there are so many positives to Alonso's game. He is probably going to turn out to be the quickest player at Bolton; he has a reputation for being lightning quick over the turf.
The club have never signed a player from a high profile club and they may not have been expecting the move to come together this quickly and easily. This will provide everyone at Bolton with a lift and will give them the belief that they are able to match the big boys of the Premier League this season.
Alonso is not a bad defender either. He gets in the right positions to make tackles and challenges and has shown at under 19 level for Spain that he can read the game and anticipate very well.
Coyle said: "What I loved about him as well was he could have sat on the bench at Madrid all year and then be pushing on. But he wants to come and establish himself as a first-team player in the best league in the world. He has that drive and enthusiasm and no end of talent. The whole thing was pleasurable at every moment. His agents, his family were as good as their word."
Club protection
Club protection is something that the player is going to need during his early career in the Premier League. He will be used to the pace and precision of the football because he has grown up playing in Spain.
What he will not be ready for is being kicked off the ball every time he races down the left wing or the fact that he may not get as much protection from the referee as he may expect. Bolton have to play a massive part in preparing him for this.
Coyle added: "When a club with the stature of Benfica comes along it's obviously going to turn your head. But all throughout they gave me the commitment Marcos wanted to come to Bolton. It's a terrific piece of business to pull this off. Marcos is 19 and has already been involved at a very high level."
Betting Advice
Alonso will add a little bit of skill to the Bolton team that they have not had before. He will get up to attack on the left wing and this will mean that he could well score a goal or two during the course of the season.
Once he bulks up a little bit then he will be a very good defender for Bolton and could easily start a lot of games for them. He makes them more attractive to back so don't be afraid to back them to win if he is in the starting side.
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