Del Horno faces tall order at Chelsea

Having enjoyed a season playing in Spain's equivalent of League One for Athletic's reserve side, Del Horno made his full debut for the first-team in 2000. He occupied a peripheral role in the following campaign but held down a regular starting place in 2002-03.

His profile in Spain has grown steadily in the last two years, particularly last season, when he won his first full cap in the 2-0 victory over Belgium. But he is yet to be regarded as a firstchoice in the national side.

Evidence of his willingness to break forward and attack at every opportunity is found in the five goals he has scored this season, including the one against England at the Bernabeu in November.

He may have to curb his attacking instincts at Chelsea. Damien Duff and Arjen Robben's freedom on the flanks is very much a product of the discipline the Chelsea coach has instilled in his full-backs. Paulo Ferreira and Wayne Bridge enter the final third almost as often as Mateja Kezman finds the net. Del Horno's aerial prowess will, though, be well received in England. At 6ft the Spaniard is tall for a full-back, an asset he makes good use of at set-plays. But other areas require honing, particularly in defence.

It is far from the strongest aspect of his game, as illustrated by a disciplinary record that suggests a lack of self-control.

During each of the past three seasons he has failed to make 40 appearances. He has collected 25 yellow cards and one red.

Yet for all Del Horno's apparent strengths and weaknesses on the field, it is off the pitch where he could face the biggest test at Stamford Bridge.

Born and raised in the small river-port town of Baracaldo, Del Horno will have to adjust to living in a capital city with a population of more than seven million. His contract at Chelsea will probably be worth that much, but money doesn't buy happiness.

Arsenal's Jose Reyes, another young Spaniard who quit smalltown Spain for London and the Premiership, will testify to that.