Real Madrid Youth Marcos Alonso Seen As Marcelo Alternative

Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini is said to be looking at their second teams left-back Marcos Alonso as an alternative to Brazilian Marcelo in the Blancos first team, according to AS.

Marcelo has come under fire after Sevilla winger Jesus Navas produced a memorable display against the Brazilian in Los Nervionenses 2-1 victory over Madrid last week and the Chilean coach has called 18-year-old Alonso to train with the first team to get a closer look at him.

Alonso has trained with the first team in the past but has yet to debut for Los Merengues. His grandfather Marcos played for Madrid in the 1950's and 1960's, becoming one of only six players to win five European Cups during that era. He told AS that he believes his grandson is ready to make the breakthrough.

" I am sure the kid can do very well with Madrid, starting now. Despite his 18 years he is qualified to play for Madrid. I hope to see him soon among the greats," he said.

His father, also Marcos, was a youth product at the club. Although he never made the breakthrough to the first team at the Bernabeu he went on to have a successful career, with Racing Sandander, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.