Marc Cucurella claims he wants to prove himself at Chelsea next season
Marc Cucurella opened up about his tough time at Chelsea in 2022-23, as the left-back endured an underwhelming debut campaign that was plagued with injuries and inconsistent performances enough to frustrate anyone.
Having already played under Graham Potter at Brighton & Hove Albion, the Spanish left-back failed to translate his performance at West Londoners in the previous campaign. With Mauricio Pocherttino now set to hit the reset button, Cucurella has the chance to rebuild his reputation.
He wasn’t the only player to struggle last season as the Blues endured a dismissal season as they finished in 12th place in the Premier League under new owner Todd Boehly. Since the takeover by the American billionaire, the West Londoners have spent over £500 million to revamp the squad but with little positive results.
Meanwhile, Cucurella’s performance put doubt on Chelsea’s future for the upcoming season under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, but he has denied any exit from the club this summer. He will now aim to make a mark and secure a starting spot for himself under the new manager.
Speaking exclusively to ESPN, he talked about last season and claimed the players were frustrated with frequent defeats, as he further stated:
“I read a lot of things [about a transfer], but I am happy here. I came here for the project. Obviously the first season was not easy, but not only for me, for all the players, it is not easy because when you don’t win, you don’t stay happy.”
“When you don’t play good, it is difficult to stay happy. But this is the past, so if the manager says they want me to stay and be part of the squad, I am very happy and I try to do my best for the team. And as well, to show the fans and my teammates what is my level.”
Next season could be the last opportunity for the 24-year-old to prove his worth, as the Spanish left-back will face competition for game time given the Blues already have the likes of Ben Chilwell Ian Maatsen and Lewis Hall. if Chelsea don’t send Maatsen and Hall on loan to another club then they will have four left-backs available to choose from. Surely competition should get the best out of players keen to prove themselves.
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Moreover, Maatsen’s loan has been personally blocked by Pochettino, so we can see him remain at the club, indicating Pochettino might not be pleased with the senior options at hid disposal. With the fire lit under him now, it is time for Cucurella to salvage his Chelsea career.