Marc Cucurella has really turned around his career at Chelsea and has been rewarded for doing so with a new contract.
Chelsea signed Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion back in 2022, but the defender initially struggled at Stamford Bridge.
He was in and out of the side in his first season in west London and was almost loaned out to Premier League rivals Manchester United the following campaign.
START, BENCH, SELL: Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Malo Gusto
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella coming on for Malo Gusto
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Which order are you going with? 🤔
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However, Cucurella is now arguably the best left-back in the world and one of Chelsea’s most important players.
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella holding Player of the Match award
Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Marc Cucurella has signed Chelsea contract with better terms
In August, Cucurella told the Spanish media, including Mundo Deportivo, that he had signed a new contract with Chelsea.
The club never officially announced it, but that may be down to the fact that the 27-year-old has not actually put pen to paper on an extension.
According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, Cucurella has only increased the salary of his deal and not its length.
Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, the transfer expert said: “What I can guarantee to you guys, 100%, is that Marc Cucurella signed improved terms at Chelsea. The length of the contract is the same, but he received an increase in salary.”
What Marc Cucurella’s managers have said about him
“He has been phenomenal. Since I came to the club, his level has been high, not only his defending but also as part of our play with the ball.”
Enzo Maresca
“He’s a great professional, a really mature player…”
Luis de la Fuente
“He just came into the team at Brighton, he solved some problems for us in terms of balance on that left side, but his personality is infectious. He is a real good character around the team, he has got fantastic intensity.”
Graham Potter
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The Spaniard and Chelsea were not at their best in recent games against Bournemouth and Leeds United as they dropped points in both fixtures.
At one stage during the Leeds defeat, Enzo Maresca was seen speaking to Cucurella and three other players mid-game as he tried to fix some issues after a very poor first half at Elland Road.
Chelsea's Marc Cucurella during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea
Photo by David Horton – CameraSport via Getty Images
Marc Cucurella deserved increase in salary
Again, Cucurella has improved drastically since joining Chelsea and is now a mainstay in Maresca’s side. Therefore, you can say that he definitely deserved a pay rise.
At Chelsea, Cucurella has become the complete full-back. In the 2024/25 campaign, he managed to score seven goals in all competitions, which is pretty impressive for a defender.
As per FBref, the Spain international is also in the 87th percentile for blocks made among full-backs, showing that he has not neglected his defensive duties. Whatever Cucurella is now on at Chelsea, he is worth that money.
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