“He is our player” – Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino offers struggling Spanish defender hope

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has assured that he will give Marc Cucurella a chance

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has spoken about Marc Cucurella and his importance to the team and claimed he needs confidence and time to make himself comfortable at the club.

Cucurella hasn’t featured in any Premier League games and has only started in Carabao Cup games against AFC Wimbledon and Brighton & Hove Albion.

The left-back was close to joining Manchester United in the summer window, but the deal collapsed and the 24-year-old apparently wants to leave the club in January.

Pochettino has remains optimistic about Cucurella. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Pochettino has remained optimistic about Cucurella. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

But against Fulham, the Spanish player could make his first appearance in the league following his impressive display in a 1-0 win over his former side Brighton.

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager has assured that he will give him time to help build his confidence. Speaking to the media. (h/t Evening Standard), Pochettino said:

“I don’t know because I wasn’t involved in this situation; that was more the sporting director, the [player’s] agent, and the club. After, when the transfer window closed, we were talking in my office.”

“We were really clear about how I see and assess him, and I listened to his feelings. Of course, it was a difficult time for him after he arrived from Brighton. It was tough, not only for him but for many, many players. That’s why we need to give him confidence and trust. He is our player, and I think he was really good against Brighton on Wednesday, playing on the right-hand side.”

Marc Cucurella has a chance to start next Chelsea's game.  (Photo by DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images)
Marc Cucurella has a chance to start the next Chelsea game. (Photo by DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Marc Cucurella was signed with high expectations after his successful spell at Brighton and it’s unfortunate that he didn’t live up to the hype. Given that Malo Gusto is serving a suspension and Ben Chiwell is sidelined, he still has time to reverse the situation. In all likelihood, he is going to start more games in the subsequent weeks.

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With Chilwell and Reece James now appearing to be injury-prone, Pochettino will have to rely on Ian Maatsen, and Cucurella and this will be a great opportunity for the latter to recover his standing at the club and perhaps even become a regular starter.