Pep Chavarria transfer to Chelsea: Left-back Rayo Vallecano has blossomed of late but can his mind help Xabi Alonso? | Football news

Pep Chavarria is not a Chelsea signing. He did not make his first appearance in the Spanish top flight until he was 24 years old. His European bow came at the age of 27 in October in the UEFA Conference League against Swedish side Hacken. He was fired.

But perhaps Rayo Vallecano’s ascendancy at left back is part of the appeal. Now 28, having exceeded expectations at Rayo, the energetic and whole-hearted player could bring what little has been missing to one of the Premier League’s true glitzy clubs.

Marc Cucurella’s departure from Real Madrid creates a gap on the left and Xabi Alonso is about to win trophies and not just improve the merchandise. If Chavarria can help him do that here and now then that’s a priority. It’s not all about wonderkids.

“There are players who develop later than others,” said Jose Ramon Rodriguez Sky Sports. “You took another path.” Rodriguez was Chavarria’s coach at Real Zaragoza and has seen this up close. “He had to struggle to get where he is.”

When Chavarria joined Zaragoza in 2020, he arrived from third-tier club UE Olot. But Rodriguez knew he could do more. “We saw the talent right from the start. He was able to perform with intensity above the level of the second division of Spain.”

Although physical strength was never really in doubt, other aspects had to be improved. “We could see that his progress could be very good and very good. But this is a very advanced player, both technically and in decision-making,” he explains.

Chavarria’s attitude is a theme that comes up every time he talks to Rodriguez. “He was a very selfless player, who liked to train a lot,” he adds. “His training style never let him down. He always gave high marks.”

Rising with Rayo Vallecano

It is perhaps said that Andoni Iraola was in charge at Rayo when Chavarria was brought to the club in 2022. He is a coach who appreciates players who can bring a real boost to team performance. Iraola likes his defenders to pass each other and Chavarria can do that.

He has shown that he can do more than just get up and down the flanks, he is more comfortable playing underneath or in midfield, adding things to his game. But that name as one of the hardest working defenders in LaLiga is what underpins it all.

Inigo Perez helped bring a lot out of Chavarria during their three seasons at Rayo. The player describes him as the best coach he has ever worked with, allowing him to develop as a modern defender who is involved in everything the team plays.

The stats show what he can do

For Perez and Chavarria, last season was a highlight as this modest team from Madrid made history by reaching the European finals. Chavarria has been key for Rayo, making over 2000 touches in LaLiga and providing crosses from the wing.

Chavarria is ranked among the top twelve players in the competition for crosses from open play and corners won. But it was a double role for Rayo because he was also among the top players blocking crosses and winning a goal in the defensive third.

Are we talking about a left-footed player who could be a creator for Chelsea in the way Alex Grimaldo was for Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen left-back? Probably not. But as a determined runner who stretches the game, his can still be an important role.

Concerns about adaptability

Inevitably, there will be question marks over his credentials, questions he will need to answer. Chavarria has never played abroad, let alone in the Premier League, perhaps the most demanding domestic competition of all.

Although strong and full of runs, could he be targeted at set pieces given the unusual emphasis on this aspect of the game in the modern Premier League? A potential vulnerability, although it is a challenge that the resilient Cucurella has been able to overcome.

Chavarria’s offensive end product will need to improve as well. There was one stunning strike against Atletico Madrid in September but it was his only goal last season. Indeed, he had many red cards, including one late on against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

What the rest of us don’t see

But Rodriguez supports her to take this step because of her attitude. What the television cameras don’t answer but the background check is that Chavarria has the right mindset. “He’s a team player who gives 200 percent every day,” he revealed.

“He’s a great teammate who creates a great atmosphere and every teammate wants to have him in the dressing room.” Those qualities are very difficult to measure but Alonso will be well aware that more determination is needed in the Chelsea team.

Chavarria symbolizes that. “When he was with us in Zaragoza and there was a time when the team was not doing well at all, he was the player who took responsibility for wanting to improve, wanting to do the right things, never making excuses.”

Someone to help raise the standards

How can Chelsea fans accept such a player who will uphold standards when others back down. This isn’t a young sensation or a changing star, but Chavarria could still be a fine sign of a change in ownership.

“When he went to the second stage, the number increased and increased again in the first stage,” said Rodriguez. At every step along the way, Chavarria has shown he can handle it. “This mentality makes you think that he can reach the top.”

If the Premier League is the next step, Chavarria will have to prove people wrong once again. But he has done it before and his old coach supports him to do it again. “If he goes to Chelsea, it’s because he deserves it.” It’s not your typical signing. But maybe the right one.