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Chelsea’s new defender Marc Cucurella: Who the hell are you? (Vol. 25)

By Caden Charpentier

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Marc Cucurella of Chelsea looks on after the final whistle of the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on August 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Marc Cucurella of Chelsea looks on after the final whistle of the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on August 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Marc Cucurella of Chelsea runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on August 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Marc Cucurella of Chelsea runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on August 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

2. Is he any good?

During his two seasons in La Liga, Cucurella was top 25 in shot-creating actions, ahead of Luka Modric in the category in the 2019/20 season. Despite not being as productive for Brighton, Cucurella had four goals and eight assists at Getafe, demonstrating the fact he is more than capable of adding to the long list of Chelsea goal contributors. On top of his creativity, Cucurella finished the 2021/22 Premier League campaign at the top of the list at Brighton in total passes completed and second in successful tackles.

He was second in the entire English top flight last season in tackles in which his team won the ball at 62, far more than any of his fellow Seagulls, on top of being top five in the league in successful pressure percentage at 37.6 percent. While his pressure percentage was better than any Chelsea player last season, Cucurella collected more blocks than any of the Blues in the previous campaign, as well. This includes Thiago Silva. Given the combination of speed, awareness and elite defensive output on top of offensive creation, Cucurella adds a whole new layer to the Blues’ attack that fits the Tuchel system to a tee.

While the first match of the season was not perfect by any means from a Chelsea perspective, Cucurella showed flashes of what he could do in his new kit. From an overlooked Barcelona academy defender to a standout at Getafe and now suiting up for one of the largest clubs in England, Cucurella possesses all the tools on both sides of the ball to succeed.

Cucurella is an all-around talent who can provide something in the final third, all while putting the dirty work in to prevent the breakthrough on the other end. He can make those essential tackles in the final third and create chaos in the box on the other end with his wand of a left-foot. His time at Getafe under Bordalas served Cucurella extremely well as he learned how to press, find the next best pass forward and contribute in a well-organized attacking system.

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