**Pep Chavarria has revealed how a conversation with Xabi Alonso helped convince him that Chelsea and the Premier League were the perfect next steps in his career.**
Chelsea [officially confirmed Chavarria’s arrival on Wednesday](https://readchelsea.com/2026/08/12/chelsea-finally-confirm-pep-chavarria-signing-after-weeks-of-talks/), with the 28-year-old signing a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2031.
Attention has now turned to how the former Rayo Vallecano defender will fit into Alonso’s plans.
Speaking in his [first major interview as a Chelsea player](https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/pep-chavarria-interview-sacrifice-journey-dream-that-brought-him-to-chelsea), Chavarria revealed that Alonso personally outlined what he wants from the Spaniard before the move was completed.
Chavarria believes his aggressive style should translate naturally to English football after spending his entire senior career in Spain.
He described the Premier League as the **“perfect league for me”**, pointing towards the intensity and one-against-one battles which have become central to his game.
Alonso also appears to have been clear about how the left-back can contribute.
Chavarria explained that Chelsea’s head coach wants him to bring intensity, defend aggressively in individual duels and make repeated attacking and defensive runs between both penalty areas.
The defender also labelled Alonso one of the world’s best managers.
It represents another clue over why Chelsea pushed to complete the deal despite already having Jorrel Hato among their options on the left side of defence.
Chavarria has taken a very different route to Stamford Bridge. He started in Spain’s fourth tier and did not make his La Liga debut until he was 24, but described signing for Chelsea as a **“dream coming true”**.
His first opportunity to feature could now arrive quickly.
Chelsea face Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in their final pre-season friendly, giving Alonso the chance to involve his newest signing before the Premier League campaign begins.