Marcos Alonso says he's a lifelong Barcelona fan.

Speaking to sport, Alonso stated that "during my whole career, I always wanted to sign for Barça, it was my team when I was a boy."

However, his family lived in Madrid and he joined Los Blancos' academy, although he says he "did the trial reluctantly, my parents were laughing, but it was the best for my development".

Alonso admits he "took a risk" in the summer signing for Barça for just one season, but that he was keen to "leave the comfort zone" he had at Chelsea.

He wanted to experience the Spanish league and return to his homeland. He won everything in England, but it was never Spain. "In 10 years, I never tried the fish and chips there," he confessed with a good sense of humour.