Chelsea Reject Saudi Interest as Full-Back Thrives Under Maresca | OneFootball

Chelsea Reject Saudi Interest as Full-Back Thrives Under Maresca | OneFootball

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·29 de julho de 2025

Chelsea Reject Saudi Interest as Full-Back Thrives Under Maresca

Imagem do artigo:Chelsea Reject Saudi Interest as Full-Back Thrives Under Maresca

Cucurella’s Chelsea Revival: From Booed to Beloved

There was a time when Marc Cucurella looked lost under the lights of Stamford Bridge. Booed by his own fans, struggling under the weight of expectation and the £60million price tag that brought him from Brighton, the Spaniard could have been another costly misfit in Chelsea’s bloated squad. Instead, under the calm instruction of Enzo Maresca, he has quietly staged one of the more remarkable personal comebacks in Premier League recent memory.

Now, Football London reports Chelsea have no intention of selling the 27-year-old, despite reports linking him with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia and even claims that Cristiano Ronaldo personally requested Al-Nassr to pursue him. Whether true or not, Chelsea are unmoved. Cucurella, it seems, is finally integral.


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Imagem do artigo:Chelsea Reject Saudi Interest as Full-Back Thrives Under Maresca

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Minutes and Maturity

Last season, Cucurella featured in 54 matches for club and country, amassing over 5,000 minutes on the pitch. More than numbers, however, it was the sense of stability he brought to a chaotic Chelsea side that stood out. For a player once derided as lightweight and overhyped, his physical and mental endurance have impressed.

“Once upon a time, the Spaniard was booed by his own supporters, but the turnaround has been nothing short of incredible,” the article noted. Cucurella himself reflected candidly on his journey:

“It was tough at the beginning because I think I’m not a player that has the quality to take the ball and change the game in one action and pass three players,” he said in New York.

Finding Confidence in Structure

It’s a self-awareness that perhaps explains his renaissance. Rather than being a flair player, Cucurella thrives in a system. He is not a highlight reel but a cog that needs the machine to be working. And Maresca, a methodical tactician, has seemingly understood how to unlock his strengths.

“I’m more of a player that needs to have the team playing well to show my qualities. So at the beginning, it was very tough because the team didn’t have maybe identity or didn’t have a clear way to play… they expect that I am a machine and I score every game!”

This kind of transparency is rare in the Premier League era of media-trained platitudes. Cucurella’s openness allows fans a glimpse of the pressure cooker he entered at Stamford Bridge, and how mentally taxing it became.

Mentality Shift and Newfound Belief

The 27-year-old admits to struggling with the shift from underdog clubs to one where every match is a must-win.

“Before I joined Chelsea, I always play like every game, I played more in small clubs so you don’t feel this pressure… But when you come here, you feel like you need to win every game. The first games [at Chelsea] I don’t feel like I enjoyed.”

That sense of obligation has weighed on many players before him. Cucurella’s reaction has been to confront it head-on, using an injury-enforced break to reassess his outlook.

“I stay a lot of time away and I have the time to think about me and what’s good for me and I come back stronger.”

His confidence has clearly grown.

“I’m the same player that I was when I signed in my first years but now I have more confidence on me, I trust my quality.”

Chelsea’s Calculated Faith in Cucurella

Chelsea are often accused of short-termism, but in standing by Cucurella, they may be reaping the rewards of patience. What looked like a £60million mistake has evolved into a reliable left-back who understands the demands of playing for one of England’s most scrutinised clubs.

His resurgence is a testament to resilience, good coaching, and the belief that even in modern football’s whirlwind, players sometimes just need time.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

It’s hard not to feel excited about what Cucurella is doing right now. There were plenty of us who doubted him when things got ugly, especially when you consider the money involved and the level of performances in his early appearances. But that’s what makes this turnaround so rewarding. He’s owned his mistakes, opened up about the pressure and clearly put the work in behind the scenes.

You can tell he’s found his role under Maresca, and the fact he played more minutes than most last season shows how indispensable he’s become. He doesn’t need to be flashy. He just needs to be consistent, and that’s exactly what we’re getting now. With rumours swirling about Saudi clubs and Ronaldo’s supposed interest, I’m relieved the club are standing firm.

Chelsea have been guilty of cutting ties too quickly in the past, but keeping Cucurella sends the right message. Not every player comes in and dominates from day one. Some need time, structure and confidence. Marc has earned the right to stay and continue building. He’s Chelsea quality now.

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