Pep Chavarría reveals Xabi Alonso influenced Chelsea move

Pep Chavarría has revealed that personal discussions with manager Xabi Alonso were the primary reason he joined Chelsea. The defender completed a transfer from Rayo Vallecano for an initial fee of €19 million plus additional add-ons.

Chavarría arrived at the club to provide options at left-back and wing-back following the summer departure of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. The player signed a contract that keeps him at the club until June 2013.

The defender stated that the opportunity to compete in the Premier League under a manager he holds in high regard made his decision to leave Spain straightforward. He described the Premier League as the highest quality league currently due to its intensity.

Chavarría noted that Alonso's explanation of his tactical ideas and how the player would fit into the system was decisive. He praised the manager's reputation as both a former footballer and a current coach.

The player expects to utilize his specific style of play within the squad. He mentioned that Alonso requested his intensity, his ability in one-on-one situations, and his capacity to make attacking and defending runs from box to box.

Last season, Chavarría primarily operated as a left-back within a 4-3-3 system for Rayo Vallecano, where he was noted for his defensive contributions.