Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea have confirmed the addition of Pep Chavarria to their first team squad, and can get a sense of what he will bring the club following previous comments about him by former Blue Carlo Ancelotti.
The Blues have brought in Chavarria off the back of a recommendation from Xabi Alonso, after impressing in La Liga last season.
It looks as if he has come in as a direct replacement for Marc Cucurella, whose tenacity and desire to do anything to win is going to be missed at Stamford Bridge.
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Carlo Ancelotti was really annoyed in 2024 by new Chelsea signing Pep Chavarria
Cucurella would also frequently frustrate opposition players and coaches with his antics at times, and this has previously occurred with Chavarria in Spain.
Rayo Vallecano, his club at the time, played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in 2024, and Chavarria went to extreme lengths to waste time late on in the game.
Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid CF - La Liga EA Sports
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This didn’t go down well with Ancelotti, who was not too complimentary of the new Chelsea signing back then.
He said via Tribuna: “Chavarría timewasting? Yes, I told the 4th referee, that guy falls a lot. Maybe he needs some potassium.”
While his name may not be known too well by Premier League fans, Chavarria brings a defensive ability which could be exactly what the Blues are looking for in the absence of Cucurella.
Chelsea's pre-season results
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Their other standout option to play on the left of defence is Jorrel Hato, however he has proven so far in his Chelsea career he is better suited to playing as part of a back three.
This looks to be the system Alonso is going to bring to Stamford Bridge, and Chavarria looks as if he has a great chance of becoming a regular starter.
The Spaniard won a higher percentage of his ground duels than any Premier League defender last season, and is set to bring the same intensity Cucurella became famous in West London for.
There could be some rivals getting frustrated by him though, similarly to how Ancelotti was back in 2024.