Marcos Alonso has made a pointed reference to his treatment under Frank Lampard, claiming he is much more use to Chelsea on the pitch rather than at home.
The Spaniard was frozen out under Lampard after being substituted at half-time when trailing 3-0 to West Brom in September but was immediately reinstated when Thomas Tuchel took over in January — and has been a key part of Chelsea's revival that has seen them rise to fourth in the Premier League.
"When I am on the pitch it is easier," said Alonso. “When I used to stay home it was not easy to help the team, but I'm very happy to get involved, to help the team and I'm looking forward to more of this."
Alonso's Stamford Bridge future was in serious doubt following the £50million arrival of left-back Ben Chilwell last summer and he admits it was difficult to accept life on the fringes under Lampard.
"Of course [it was frustrating]," he said. "I think that even after a very good end of the season last year, but also the year before — at the beginning I was not getting many chances, then I was back in the team at the end — I had a very good run.
“Then it was tough, but this is football. All you can do is keep working hard, keep training and try to be ready for when the chance comes."
Chelsea's form has been revitalised under Tuchel, who has overseen an 11-game unbeaten run that has put them on course for Champions League qualification.
"We are doing well," added Alonso. "We need to enjoy the momentum, but we need to know the only way to arrive at this point is to keep working hard and keep winning games."
