Chelsea: Marc Cucurella issues verdict on 'difficult' Blues transfer strategy as raft of recruits join up | OneFootball

The Blues’ controversial transfer strategy has taken a toll on its players

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Malik Ouzia

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Chelsea have already added seven first-team players this summer, with £115m forward pair Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens both joining up with the squad in the United States. Plenty of outgoings are expected to come, too.

Cucurella himself joined as part of a hectic season off-pitch, where he was one of 15 arrivals, and struggled to bed in on arrival.

Speaking after the Blues beat Palmeiras to progress to the Club World Cup semi-finals, the Spaniard said he struggled to build relationships with his teammates as the revolving door at the club spun apace.

"At the beginning, it was difficult because football is a lot of relationships," he explained. "You stay close with one teammate and then he leaves, or you leave.”

He feels the situation has improved somewhat now, though, with some greater squad stability helping new arrivals to settle faster than in bygone years.

"It's difficult, but I think we have a good group now. I think we have been together for a long time. The most important thing is that as a new player, you feel OK.

"You have confidence and you can show your personality in everything. If you feel this from the beginning, it's more easy to reach."

While constant chopping and changing has been a general negative for Cucurella, he admits that he finds the new signings exciting.

"I think this is good for Chelsea because we have new players with a lot of quality.

"They joined a club where we try to win every game. Hopefully, they bring good energy, the quality we know and we try to stay with them.

"I think it's early for them but hopefully they can bring fresh energy and a lot of quality."

He is particularly keen to work alongside Estevao, the highly rated Palmeiras youngster whom he lined up opposite in last week’s Club World Cup clash: "I think he's a good player with a lot of talent. We want to help him. We try to help him in all the things that we can."