Premier League - Chelsea v Nottingham Forest - Stamford Bridge
Premier League - Chelsea v Nottingham Forest - Stamford Bridge
Chelsea have spent much of the summer collecting big names, but Pep Chavarria would represent a very different kind of signing.
Xabi Alonso has been handed an expensive rebuild after the Blues finished tenth last season. Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Marco Palestra have arrived for huge fees, while Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck have added the experience that this squad previously lacked.
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Chelsea are still investing in potential, but they also need players who can handle pressure immediately.
Chavarria is 28, has spent years fighting his way through Spanish football and would arrive knowing that he must compete from day one.
The need for another left-back became clear when Marc Cucurella left for Real Madrid.
Jorrel Hato can play there, while Valentín Barco offers another option on the left after joining from sister club Strasbourg. Yet neither provides the same profile as an experienced specialist who has played regularly in La Liga.
Chavarria did not take a glamorous route to the top.
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He developed at hometown club Figueres before representing Olot and Real Zaragoza. Rayo Vallecano signed him from Zaragoza in 2022, and he gradually became a reliable part of their side.
Chavarria made 45 appearances in all competitions last season, featuring 33 times in La Liga whilst bagging two assists from out wide.
The Spaniard is energetic, direct and comfortable pushing high from left-back. He can overlap to create width, but also has enough experience to drop back at the right moments.
Chelsea need options if their head coach switches between a back four and wing-backs, and Chavarria would give him a natural left-sided runner.
Chelsea - Stamford Bridge
Chelsea - Stamford Bridge
Chavarria signed a contract running until 2030 last year, leaving the Spanish club in a strong negotiating position. Chelsea reportedly opened with an offer worth around £13 million before returning with an improved proposal near £17 million, but Rayo continued to hold out.
Now, there appears to have been a breakthrough.
Chelsea reach agreement with Rayo Vallecano to sign Pep Chavarria
Rayo Vallecano's Pep Chavarria celebrates after the match
Rayo Vallecano's Pep Chavarria celebrates after the match
TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey reports that Chelsea have reached an agreement with Rayo worth around £21.4 million.
Chavarria has reportedly been given permission to travel to London for a medical, with the remaining formalities expected to be completed over the coming days.
The deal is also linked to another major piece of Chelsea business.
Bailey reports that Trevoh Chalobah's move to Como has been agreed for a package worth just over £30 million.
Chalobah
Fabrizio Romano's report places that deal at around £26 million guaranteed, plus up to £5 million in add-ons and a sell-on clause.
As an academy graduate, Chalobah's sale would give Chelsea valuable room in their accounts while helping to cover Chavarria's arrival.
Chavarria may not carry the excitement of a teenage wonderkid, but Chelsea already have plenty of those. They need dependable players as well.
If he completes his medical, the Spaniard will arrive with a clear opportunity to make the left-back position his own and prove Chelsea's new approach can work.
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