Chelsea's first signing under Xabi Alonso threatens Jorrel Hato's rise

Chelsea shelled out 55 million euros for Marc Cucurella in June, a fee that underscores the club’s urgency to replace the departing left‑back under new boss Xabi Alonso. The Blues are now close to securing 28‑year‑old Pep Chavarria from Rayo Vallecano, whose ten‑million‑euro release clause makes the deal financially attractive.

Xabi Alonso arrived as Chelsea’s new manager and must replace the left‑back he sold to Real Madrid. The club already has 20‑year‑old Jorrel Hato in the squad, who is expected to become the first‑choice left‑back.

Jorrel Hato, a product of Ajax’s academy, spent last season largely on the bench as a backup for Marc Cucurella. His age of 20 makes him one of the youngest options in the position.

Pep Chavarria, 28, has been a regular left‑back for Rayo Vallecano since mid‑2022 after a spell with Real Zaragoza. His release clause is ten million euros, a relatively low figure for a Premier League target.

Rayo Vallecano were the losing finalists of the Conference League last season, highlighting Chavarria’s experience at a high European level.

Chelsea also intend to add Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, a player Alonso previously coached at Bayer Leverkusen. Xhaka’s familiarity with the manager could ease his integration into the squad.

The 55‑million‑euro outlay for Cucurella and the modest ten‑million‑euro clause for Chavarria illustrate Chelsea’s willingness to spend aggressively while also seeking value in the market.