Hopefully this is just a player that has flown under the radar and turns out to be a great find rather than a player that has never been good enough for the very top.

36 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Hopefully this is just a player that has flown under the radar and turns out to be a great find rather than a player that has never been good enough for the very top.

Hoping for another Dave, but watching his highlights versus Barca and Madrid his defending looks ropey.

In today’s market 16M is the equivalent of a free and is about as risk free as you can make a signing.

Absolutely no expectations for the lad so he can only surpass them.

I had never heard of him until the links to us surfaced. Looking at his career history, it seems he's worked his way up from the lower leagues over many seasons, starting with his tiny hometown club, rather than being fast-tracked through one of the "big" teams' academies. He has also apparently only been out injured for 10 days and missed one game in his entire career (according to transfermarkt... I'm guessing they have not tracked him that closely due to his low profile and may be under-reporting that), and that was 4 years ago due to COVID.

We could do with a dedicated LB, so for the modest fees being mentioned, this seems like an uncharacteristically sensible, low risk move from us.

Seems like a much more offensive than defensive full back. I guess Hato would be the option if we need to be more defensive on that side?

Bit of a head scratcher move this one. Clearly an Alonso decision imo and therefore I'll support it as I really hope he turns the club around.. I just hope we dont get caught out like scolari's sides and only able to play one style of football.

Welcome whoever you are.

This signing and the Palestra signing points to a back 3 imo. Pep and Palestra at wing back. Hato/Colwill/Lacroix in the middle and Rogers and Palmer in behind the striker. Caicedo's midfield partner is up for grabs though.

1 hour ago, All Barco no bite said:

This signing and the Palestra signing points to a back 3 imo. Pep and Palestra at wing back. Hato/Colwill/Lacroix in the middle and Rogers and Palmer in behind the striker. Caicedo's midfield partner is up for grabs though.

Has to be, because I don't see Chavarria and Palestra as strong enough defensively for a back 4.

I'm hoping Alonso is flexible and switches between a back 4 and back 3 formation throughout the season. Against weaker sides, we should be confident to switch to a back 4 and put more attackers on the pitch.

We haven't played a back 3 yet in preseason, just a variation with one fullback bombing forward and the other tucking in.

I agree with you lot until our defenders can get some confidence, especially if it's Enzo or Barco in the pivot with Caicedo.

The price lowers expectations. On face value we’ve sold a World Cup winning LB, (which I agreed with) but replaced with arguably a lower qualified player.

If this goes through wish him well and hopefully a player that has gone under the radar and can be an effective system player for us.

3 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

The price lowers expectations. On face value we’ve sold a World Cup winning LB, (which I agreed with) but replaced with arguably a lower qualified player.

If this goes through wish him well and hopefully a player that has gone under the radar and can be an effective system player for us.

Won’t matter if we improve balance wise.

4 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Someone explain mobile phones to him.

Yey. I guess.

On 05/08/2026 at 19:17, Zeta said:

Seems like a much more offensive than defensive full back. I guess Hato would be the option if we need to be more defensive on that side?

The little I've seen of him, I've thought the opposite. Very tenacious defender who doesn't offer much in attack other than running on to long balls. Better than Cucurella defensively, but nowhere near as capable in attack

32 minutes ago, SydneyChelsea said:

The little I've seen of him, I've thought the opposite. Very tenacious defender who doesn't offer much in attack other than running on to long balls. Better than Cucurella defensively, but nowhere near as capable in attack

I get a little Sergio Reguilón about him. A little weakling

It’s clearly an Alonso pushed signing, backing the manager is never a bad thing.

Him and Palestra at least offers a lot of energy from full back.

1 hour ago, SydneyChelsea said:

The little I've seen of him, I've thought the opposite. Very tenacious defender who doesn't offer much in attack other than running on to long balls. Better than Cucurella defensively, but nowhere near as capable in attack

I'm just basing off youtube highlights, but it looks like he likes to dribble forward with the ball and get down the flank.

Interesting video. Sounds like he's another Xabi "mentality monster".

On 08/08/2026 at 03:39, All Barco no bite said:

The stats reflect that Chavarria plays a much more traditional wide fullback role to whatever the f**k Cucurella was doing under Maresca.

The really notable points:

• The outermost ring is supposed to indicate the top 5% of all fullbacks in that particular stats. For all of Cucurella's much vaunted reputation he has little in that category. This is way too close for a comparison with the supposed best left-back in the world vs a mid-tier La Liga plugger
  

• Cucurella's better stats can be explained by his position; when he's practically playing at AM, it's no surprising he attempts more attacking actions
  

• The one that really stands out is that Ball Recoveries for Chavarria. I really do think this is why Alonso likes him. He is really tenacious and has no problem running down attackers even if he bombs forward. This was always Cucurella's biggest deficiencies; either a good attacker or a good defender, but never both except in the odd big game.
  
  

Weird end to the BBC article. Says the deal was hard to negotiate as RV wanted the full £42m, insisted on that price, there was a weird tax comment, then the article ended. Sort of like it was missing 1-2 paragraphs, saying Chelsea got a good deal, or got around it, or an agreement was made at nearly 1/3 RV's valuation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvg0rw84xk9o

15 minutes ago, Shweaves said:

Weird end to the BBC article. Says the deal was hard to negotiate as RV wanted the full £42m, insisted on that price, there was a weird tax comment, then the article ended. Sort of like it was missing 1-2 paragraphs, saying Chelsea got a good deal, or got around it, or an agreement was made at nearly 1/3 RV's valuation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvg0rw84xk9o

Probably because the story is more BBC bullsh*t and they're probably backing up the story of some other journalists hack who made the story up in the first place. Theres no world in which a club would be adamant that the player is worth £42 million then accept 16. It would be more believable if the two prices were anything but leagues apart. Maybe Rayo tried their luck with the initial enquiry but thats some climb down in valuation.