Marc Cucurella is to join Real Madrid from Chelsea, and the Blues need to recruit a new left-back. Several players have been speculated as potential replacements. However, some left-backs surprisingly have not been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
3 Marc Cucurella replacements Chelsea are considering
Pep Chavarrría
The journalist, Matteo Moretto, has reported (translated from Spanish) that "Chelsea is making a strong bid for Pep Chavarría."
Chavarrría is a 28-year-old from Rayo Vallecano who has played 105 times in La Liga for them. He has never played for Spain, which makes it a surprise that the Blues are going for him.
The left-back has just helped Rayo Vallecano finish eighth in La Liga. He was also part of their side that got to the Europa Conference League final. However, they then lost to Crystal Palace. The incoming Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, knows all about him, as his Real Madrid side came up against Chavarrría and Rayo Vallecano last season. Chavarrría helped Vallecano draw 0-0 with Alonso's Los Blancos.
It has been a remarkable rise for Chavarrría, who began his career in the fourth tier of Spanish soccer with his hometown club Figueres. He then played in the third tier with Olot and then the Segunda División with Zaragoza before making it to La Liga with Vallecano. For Chavarrría to make it to the Premier League would be some achievement.
Gabriel Gudmundsson
Gabriel Gudmundsson has just had a solid season with Leeds United, helping them keep their place in the Premier League. The Swedish outlet Expressen has revealed, "Chelsea has the national team defender on the radar - where he is one of the options to replace Marc Cucurella."
Gudmundsson played 32 times in the Premier League for Leeds last season. The left-back did well against Chelsea as he helped the team from Elland Road beat the Blues 3-1 and draw 2-2. He is currently at the World Cup with Sweden, and Gudmundsson has played in all three of their group games. They have reached the knockout stages. However, they will face the much-fancied France next. It will be interesting to see how he gets on up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe.
Andrea Cambiaso
Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus and Italy would be the high-profile left-back signing that Chelsea fans would want. However, the Blues will face competition from other top European clubs for his services.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (translated from Italian), "Barcelona remains vigilant about the 26-year-old's situation, as does Chelsea, who recently sold Cucurella to Real Madrid and whose coach is Xabi Alonso, who reportedly wanted the Juventus player at Blancos a year ago."
And 3 they should be considering
Lewis Hall
Lewis Hall came through the ranks at Chelsea and was their Academy Player of the Season in 2023. However, he only made 12 appearances for their first team. He was loaned out to Newcastle United and eventually joined them permanently.
Hall has now played 75 times for Newcastle and is still only 21. Chelsea have been known in the past to buy back players that they have previously let go. Blues fans would want to see one of their own return.
Álvaro Carreras
Álvaro Carreras played for Alonso at Real Madrid last season. Carreras was a reliable left-back who could also fill in at center-back for Alonso. With Cucurella coming in, Carreras' first team opportunites at Los Blancos will be limited. Therefore, going the other way to Cucurella makes sense.
Carreras is also only 23, so he still has potential. He also has experience of English soccer, having come through the ranks at Manchester United. He did not make a first-team appearance for the Red Devils but did represent Preston North End whilst on loan in the Championship.
El Hadji Malick Diouf
El Hadji Malick Diouf may have just been relegated with West Ham United. However, he is being linked with Manchester United. Diouf might be a little suspect defensively, but he is excellent on the ball and going forward.
Diouf got five assists in 32 Premier League games last season for the Hammers. West Ham need to sell players as they prepare for life in the Championship. Moving across London to Stamford Bridge could be a good fit for the Senegal international.
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