Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
New Chelsea signing Pep Chavarria has already given supporters insight on how he is going to play under Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea finally confirmed the signing of Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday morning.
Alonso identified Chavarria as a key target after Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid and has got his man.
Pep Chavarria's stats vs Crystal Palace
Photo by Kevin Voigt/GettyImages
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso wants Pep Chavarria attacking the opposition’s box
While Cucurella was one of the best one-v-one defenders in the Premier League, he was also very good going forward. And it now looks like Alonso wants Chavarria to follow in his footsteps.
In an interview following his arrival at Chelsea, Chavarria shared some instructions that Alonso has already given him, which includes attacking the box and defending runs.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official club website, the left-back said: “I’m a player that loves this intensity, one-to-one battles — I love it. Xabi was a top player, and now, for me, he’s one of the best managers in the world.
“I spoke to him, and he explained his ideas and how I can fit into that. He wants my intensity, those one-on-ones, box-to-box attacking and defending runs — and this is how I play.”
Chelsea Unveil New Signing Pep Chavarria
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea will have a very different-looking defence this upcoming season following the exits of Cucurella and Trevoh Chalobah.
They could now have a back four consisting of Chavarria, Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix and Reece James.
There could also be room for another defender if Alonso decides to use a back five, which he did at times in Chelsea’s recent pre-season tour.
Left-back battle at Chelsea is going to be interesting
It was disappointing to see Cucurella go. Again, in one-v-one situations, he was phenomenal. Few attackers managed to get past him.
However, Alonso will still be pleased with the left-back options he has going into the new season. He now has Chavarria and Jorrel Hato for the position, while Marco Palestra can play as a left wing-back.
It is going to be interesting to see who starts the season on the left side of Chelsea’s defence and manages to cement that spot.
Hato and Palestra have spent more time working under Alonso, so you would expect one of those two to get the nod when Chelsea travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in their Premier League opener later this month.