The reasons behind Marc Cucurella's surprising departure from Chelsea
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
The departure of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea surprises both supporters and observers. Long considered a key element, the Spanish international finally decided to return to Spain, to Real Madrid. If the family aspect weighed in the balance, the context of Chelsea, faced with financial difficulties and sporting and managerial instability, also accelerated the maneuver. A transfer which, despite a slight loss on the initial investment, improves the Blues' accounting situation.
The departure of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea challenges and raises many questions on the Stamford Bridge side. The Spanish international, who signed a salary increase last season without extending his contract, seemed fully integrated into the squad under the orders of former coach Enzo Maresca. Winner of the Euro with Spain, the Conference League and the Club World Cup with Chelsea, Cucurella appeared to be a sure value in the squad.
However, the situation changed with the replacement of Enzo Maresca by Liam Rosenior during the season. In a context of disappointing results, Cucurella did not hesitate to point the finger at managerial instability and the management of the club. Unlike Enzo Fernandez, who was also critical of this in March, Cucurella was not sanctioned. Despite his displayed interest in the project proposed by new coach Xabi Alonso, the 27-year-old full-back ultimately preferred to seize the opportunity offered by Real Madrid, motivated in particular by the desire to return to Spain after six seasons spent in London and for family reasons.
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For Chelsea, this departure, organized with the player's agent in order to find a way out in one of the big Spanish clubs, represents a financial challenge. The Blues, tenth in the Premier League last season and excluded from European competitions, must compensate for significant losses of income and meet UEFA's requirements on respecting salary limits, while being deprived of a long-term jersey sponsor. Although management assures that it does not have to sell to get back on track, the sale of Cucurella helps to redress the balance. From an accounting point of view, the operation even represents a profit of around 17.5 million euros, thanks to the amortization of the initial transfer of 60 million euros paid to Brighton in 2022.
Turning 28 next month and with three years still under contract, this was arguably Chelsea's last opportunity to add value to the player. His departure further reduces the average age of a squad that is already the youngest in the Premier League, while the young Jorrel Hato, recruited from Ajax, was able to show his advantage at the end of the season.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea, already active on the paths leading to a central defender, a midfielder and a versatile attacker, will decide to recruit a new left back to strengthen their corridor.