Chelsea’s new signing Pep Chavarría has disclosed that direct talks with manager Xabi Alonso were the decisive factor in his decision to complete a £16.3 million transfer from Rayo Vallecano to the club.
Recall that Chavarría was brought in as a left-back/wing-back option following Marc Cucurella’s departure to Real Madrid this summer.
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He noted that the chance to play in the Premier League under a manager he deeply respects made leaving Spain an easy choice.
“I’ve played in Spain all my life, but the Premier League is the best league in the world right now. There’s lots of quality and intensity, so I think it’s the best league for me,” he told the club’s website.
“I’ve already spoken with Xabi Alonso; I’m here thanks to him. He’s one of the best coaches out there right now, and he was also one of the best footballers. It’s an honour to be here playing under him.
“He explained his ideas and how I can fit into that.
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“He wants my intensity, those one-on-ones, box-to-box attacking and defending runs – and this is how I play.”
Chavarria has penned a contract until June 2013, signing from Rayo Vallecano for an initial fee of €19 million plus add-ons.
The defender mostly played as a left-back in a 4-3-3 formation at Rayo Vallecano last season, providing strong defensive coverage for the Spanish side.
