Chelsea's new recruit Pep Chavarria has opened up about his transfer to the club and the arduous journey he undertook to reach the Premier League.
The 28-year-old Spaniard has navigated the full spectrum of Spanish football, starting his senior career in the Tercera (fourth tier) at just 18, and only making his La Liga debut at the age of 24.
Pep Chavarria's thoughts on his transfer and his path to success
Reflecting on childhood dreams and sacrifices for football:
Morning, noon, and night – I dreamed of this moment. As a child, my goal was always to join a club like this. I’ve played at every level in Spain, and moving up has always required hard work. Now that my dream has come true, I can honestly say it was worth it.
On adapting to the Premier League and the expectations of Xabi Alonso:
I believe the Premier League is the best in the world. There’s more intensity, more challenges, and higher quality than anywhere else. It’s the perfect league for me. I thrive in situations of high intensity and one-on-one duels – I absolutely love it.
Xabi was a top player, and now he’s one of the best coaches in the world. I’ve spoken to him, and he explained his ideas and how I can fit in. He needs my intensity, those one-on-one battles, the runs from box to box in both attack and defence – that’s how I play.
Discussing idols, teamwork, and the club’s rich history:
Marc Cucurella, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Marcos Alonso are all role models for me in the full-back position.
Chelsea is all about winning, and there are always players with a winning mentality here. They’re world champions with the likes of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Joao Pedro, who I believe are among the best players in the world.
Chelsea also has a storied history with legends such as Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and Eden Hazard – some of the best players in the game have played here. They’ve won the Champions League and the Club World Cup, which is truly thrilling.
