Marc Cucurella’s recent upturn in form could prove the difference for Chelsea as they look to sneak into one of the Premier League’s European spots. Mauricio Pochettino’s side appear to be hitting their groove at just the right time, with Cucurella having played a key role in Chelsea’s transformation.
Even as recently as this year, Cucurella’s £60million switch from Brighton & Hove Albion to Chelsea looked like nothing more than a disaster. The left-back failed to impress during his maiden season with the club, while also looking out of his depth following Pochettino’s arrival.
However, with just three games of the 2023/24 season remaining for Chelsea, Cucurella has been dealt a major reputation boost. It’s come after a slight tactical tweak from the Blues boss, with Cucurella now operating as an inverted full-back stepping into midfield, instead of his traditional role as an orthodox wingback.
It allows Chelsea to get the most out of their attacking talent in front and has already proved crucial in their end-of-season run. The defender began last month’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa in his typical left-back role, but after Chelsea found themselves 2-0 down at half-time, Cucurella was instructed to adopt the new-look stepping into midfield role instead. Chelsea drew the game 2-2.
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What’s more, Cucurella – who was a one-time transfer target for both Manchester United and Manchester City – is said to be a much-loved member of the Chelsea dressing room. And while he’s at times struggled to endear himself to the wider football world, the Spaniard certainly has the trust of his manager.
Speaking after Chelsea’s recent 5-0 hammering of West Ham United, Pochettino said: “This role we can implement in the future but before that it is because you need to build the belief, the confidence, the trust, the team needs to compete.
“The tactical evolution that we, the coaching staff, have in our heads – yes, we will apply in the future but the most important thing, you cannot sit if you don’t have a chair. You need to build the chair.”
He later added: “The problem in football is if you don’t have a team, you’re expected to behave like a team. You are so selfish and after you need to share. The priorities in football, like an engineer who is going to build a building.
“You want to see quickly the nice furniture, you want to live there. That is why sometimes we make a mistake when we judge the job of the people, the coaching staff and young players.”
Chelsea are locked in a cutthroat battle with United and Newcastle United to qualify for Europe. Next up for the two-time European champions is a trip to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, before another away game against Brighton, with the west Londoners wrapping their campaign up at home to Bournemouth on May 19.
