For the first half of the season, Marcos Alonso found himself ostracised by Frank Lampard.
The Spanish defender started the first three games of the season for Chelsea but then was excluded from the next 16 matchdays and was left as an unused substitute in the four Champions League squads he did make in that period.
The rift between Lampard and Alonso was reported to be down to the former manager substituting Alonso at half-time of Chelsea's 3-3 draw with West Brom. The Blues were 3-0 down at the break and the Spaniard was one of two changes the manager made to his side.
The defender was allegedly fuming at the decision and that was the last time he appeared in a Lampard team.
A lot has changed since that September afternoon including the Blues manager with Thomas Tuchel arriving as a January replacement for the failing Lampard.
Tuchel gave every member of the squad a clean slate and Alonso has been his left wing-back of choice starting five of his six games in charge.
Alonso's father, also named Marcos Alonso has spoken of his son's difficult period at Chelsea at the advice he gave him:
"I didn’t do it well [during his playing career] and you have to do it well in case another coach comes,” Alonso Senior told Onda Cero.
During his three months on the sideline Alonso Snr says his son stayed fit waiting for his opportunity:
"Thanks to his effort, he has trained and he has not stopped, he has been able to do well, and the coach can count on him."
Alonso Snr said that this period for his son was tough but urged him to treat it as a life lesson.
“They are things that happen, you learn everything. And with Lampard on the bench surely my son has learned a lesson and knows that this is over and does not last for life,” he said.
Alonso Jnr's patience and dedication to remain ready has paid off and he is now back in the team and preparing to face his father's former team Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
