{"id":586,"date":"2026-08-07T07:43:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T07:43:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=586"},"modified":"2026-08-07T07:43:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T07:43:57","slug":"chelsea-signing-pep-chavarria-is-biggest-sign-yet-xabi-alonso-could-be-changing-his-formation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=586","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea signing Pep Chavarria is biggest sign yet Xabi Alonso could be changing his formation"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Chelsea are set to add another new signing to their ranks in the form of Pep Chavarria, and his attacking abilities could well hint at a formation change at Stamford Bridge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Xabi Alonso has personally selected Chavarria<\/a> as the player he thinks best replaces Marc Cucurella in the first team squad after his move to Real Madrid.<\/p>\n

\n

It looked originally like the Blues had walked away from the deal after Rayo Vallecano had asked for an inflated fee, but Chelsea<\/a> have done well to not spend excessive money on the 28-year-old.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n

Thoughts after another pre-season defeat under Xabi Alonso?\ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\"Chelsea<\/div>
Photo by Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Pep Chavarria signing could see Chelsea move to a back three<\/h2>\n

One area where Chavarria differs from Jorrel Hato<\/a> is his ability to influence play in attack. His average position is far higher up the pitch than the Dutchman\u2019s.<\/p>\n

While this doesn\u2019t always translate to goals and assists, he is far closer to a wing-back, and would suit playing in a back three well.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Crystal<\/div>
Photo by Harry Langer\/DeFodi Images\/DeFodi via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The same can be said for fellow new defenders Marco Palestra<\/a> and Maxence Lacroix<\/a>, who has spent the majority of his Premier League career in a back three at Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n

Alonso<\/a> has not turned to a back three for any of the pre-season games so far, despite the success he found with it when in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.<\/p>\n

The Spaniard may well have been waiting to have the perfect players at his disposal to try it, and when Chavarria joins he will have this.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n

What do you make of Asmir Begovic\u2019s Chelsea XI?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\"Asmir<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Back three system suits Chelsea\u2019s squad well<\/h2>\n

The system could also allow Hato to feature as one of the three central defenders. This was the role he showed much improvement in during the 2025\/26 season.<\/p>\n

Reece James<\/a> is another player who the manager will be looking to find the ideal role for, with his injury history not helping his chances at playing as a flying wing-back.<\/p>\n

It was reported when the new boss arrived that Alonso saw James as a midfield option, although he could also find himself slotting into the back three too.<\/p>\n

The signings up to now all seem to suit a back three, and it remains to be seen whether that system will be used before the first Premier League game against Fulham.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/svg><\/p>\n
Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n

Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n