Pep Chavarria don finally sign for Chelsea from Rayo Vallecano, na five-year contract wey e don put pen for paper. The 28-year-old Spanish left-back dey very happy, e say this one na dream come true because Chelsea be one of the biggest clubs for the world.
But the road to Stamford Bridge no easy at all. Chavarria no make im La Liga debut until e don reach 24 years. Before that, e bin dey play for lower division sides like UE Figueres, im hometown club, and UE Olot where e build im reputation. E later join Real Zaragoza for 2020, where e spend two seasons for second division before e step enter La Liga with Rayo Vallecano for 2022.
For Rayo, Chavarria become important player. E make 125 appearances and e help the club make history by reaching the UEFA Conference League final last season, but dem lose 1-0 to Crystal Palace. E still score one goal and make three assists for all competitions last season.
The transfer no come easy. Chelsea bin initially hear say Rayo no go sell unless dem pay im release clause, wey be £42.4m. Talks bin dey complicated, but eventually dem agree for around £16.3m plus £1.7m for add-ons. Rayo bin argue say Chavarria statistics show say e dey play at same level as Marc Cucurella, wey just leave Chelsea go Real Madrid for £51.8m.
Chavarria don show say e fit play for big stage. For November, e bin produce excellent defensive performance against Real Madrid when Xabi Alonso, wey now be Chelsea manager, bin dey watch. Alonso bin take notice and e make Chavarria key target. Alongside new right-back Marco Palestra, wey join from Atalanta for £47m, Alonso wan replicate im wing-back system from Bayer Leverkusen.
But there be question marks. Chavarria never play abroad before, and Premier League na one of the toughest competitions. E go need improve im end product and e fit be targeted for set pieces. But im old coach from Real Zaragoza, Jose Ramon Rodriguez, dey back am. E say Chavarria get right mentality, e be team player wey dey give 200 per cent every day.
Chavarria sign with Chelsea until 2031 and e go join im new team-mates for preparation for the 2026/27 season. E talk say e ready and e go work hard to help the team achieve success. Chelsea no go play any European competition this season because dem finish tenth for Premier League last term. But with this signing, dem don add more depth for left-back position.
