Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has blocked managing director Marina Granovskaia's attempt to sell Marcos Alonso.

The Spaniard was a target for Barcelona this summer as they look to build their strength-in-depth.

Alonso made just 17 appearances in all competitions across the campaign, comfortably the fewest of any of his five seasons at Chelsea.

But despite the 30-year-old's lack of playing time, Tuchel is keen to keep Alonso at the club due to his tactical flexibility, with the player able to play as a full-back, wing-back or on the left of a back three.

And, when Barcelona came calling, Tuchel stepped in to override Granovskaia and insist that he wants to keep Alonso “at all costs", reports Mundo Deportivo.