Transfer News: Chelsea keeping tabs on 23-year-old Seagulls star

Chelsea interested in Brighton defender Marc Cucurella ahead of the summer transfer window

According to Goal (h/t Express), Chelsea are interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion defender Marc Cucurella in the upcoming summer transfer window. This comes after it was claimed that the Blues were keen on the player in 2020, before the subsequent transfer of Ben Chilwell to Stamford Bridge.  

With Chilwell out injured for the rest of the season, Blues manager Thomas Tuchel has relied on Marcos Alonso to cover for the Englishman. However, at 31, Alonso does not provide the same energy and attacking threat that Chilwell offers, forcing Tuchel to seek reinforcements at the end of the season.

Alonso only has 18 months left on his contract. So far, Chelsea have not shown any indication of wanting the defender to stay beyond his current contract. Given this, the Blues may be looking to cash in on the Spaniard at the end of the season, and rope in Cucurella as part of a defensive reshuffle.

The 23-year-old moved to England last summer, with Brighton manager Graham Potter keen to bolster his side with players who could afford width. The Spanish wing-back has been a hit for the Seagulls, complementing former Chelsea player Tariq Lamptey on the opposite flank as Potter’s side continue to impress.

Spanish defensive swap

Chelsea have been aware of Cucurella’s talents for some time now. If the Blues do sign him, then the wing-back is young enough to provide long term competition to Chilwell. Moreover, he could provide Tuchel with an excellent alternative for the Englishman, if the head coach is looking to rotate his squad.

However, any move for the Spaniard depends heavily on Alonso’s future at Stamford Bridge. Neither the club nor player has spoken about this topic as of yet, but the Blues could look to offload him for money this summer rather than lose him for free next year. It is claimed that Alonso has admirers in Serie A thanks to his productive spell with Fiorentina in the past.

There is little doubt in anyone’s mind about the costly impact of Chilwell’s injury on the Chelsea squad. Such was the England international’s effect on the team that after his injury, the Blues have seen a downturn in form and confidence. Other injuries and Covid issues have contributed to this as well, but Tuchel still has not been able to fill the void left by Chiwell effectively.

Alonso has acted as an able deputy, and Blues fans can be content with his role this season. However, the wing-back does not bring to the table the same qualities that Chilwell has. It is highly unlikely that Alonso would have been to rack up 18 Premier League appearances this campaign if Chilwell had stayed fit. 

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If Chelsea are aiming to win every trophy available to them next season, then they need young and dynamic players that can make a difference to the team. Cucurella has shown himself to be just that this campaign, despite being new to the English game.

Any questions that critics might have about the Brighton wing-back adapting to the top-flight have dissipated, thanks to the fine season Cucurella has had so far. If all goes well, he could be on his way to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.