Pep Chavarría has revealed the real reason he chose Chelsea over other projects, offering an insight into how Xabi Alonso is already influencing the club’s recruitment ahead of the new season.
Chelsea have taken a different approach to the transfer market this summer, targeting more experienced players while adding greater quality and depth to the squad as they look to return to European football. That will be one of Xabi Alonso’s primary objectives, but it appears the Spaniard’s appointment is also becoming a key factor in convincing players to choose Chelsea over competing projects.
Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson and Morgan Rogers have added to the British contingent and Premier League experience, while Maxence Lacroix and Marco Palestra have added quality to the ranks. While the club is outside of Europe, they continue to attract European quality to the squad.
You could argue that the club’s pedigree as the current Club World Champions, the wages or even the London lifestyle played a part. Some come even for the legends that have worn the shirt or the challenge of Premier League football. However, in his first interview since joining Chelsea, Pep Chavarría has revealed what ultimately brought him to the club, and it was the manager himself who proved to be the crucial factor.
His first words as a Chelsea player will come as little surprise to fans at Stamford Bridge and beyond, given the excitement currently surrounding the club in West London.
"“I'm here thanks to Xabi. For me, he's one of the best coaches right now. I am so happy to join one of the best clubs in the world”"
Pep and Chelsea fans will be hoping he can replicate the success shown at Bayer Leverkusen with a title challenge in the first season rather than a disappointing tenure at Real Madrid.
Who is Pep Chavarria?
Chelsea required a left-back or left-sided wing-back following Marc Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid after his World Cup performances. His replacement has been another Spaniard, but one who comes from a very different youth development background to the departed defender.
The signing from Rayo Vallecano never had the luxury of coming through the academies at Barcelona or Real Madrid. Instead, he developed through the youth ranks of his hometown club, Figueres. He did not make his La Liga debut until the age of 24, while his first taste of European football came at 27 in the UEFA Conference League.
While Cucurella offered a significant attacking outlet down the left, creating more chances and providing more assists, Chavarría’s La Liga numbers suggest his strengths lie more in the defensive side of the game. Despite ranking among the league’s top dozen players for crosses from open play and corners won, highlighting his attacking contribution, it was his role for Rayo was far more balanced. He also ranked among the top dozen for crosses blocked and possession won in the defensive third, showing his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
Those impressive La Liga numbers have yet to earn Chavarría an international call-up, but a move to a more prominent club could give him the platform to attract the attention of the world champions.
With that in mind, Chavarría’s rise could now reach another level under Alonso’s tutelage, particularly given the influence he had on Alex Grimaldo’s development at Bayer Leverkusen. The two wing-backs can provide the width in an Alonso formation, while attacking midfielders such as Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer offer support in the inside areas, potentially giving Chavarría even more freedom to contribute in the final third.
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