Chelsea has changed a lot over the years. One player who shows this change better than anyone else is Marc Cucurella, who was once close to leaving the club. Now, he is one of Chelsea’s most important players. Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has spoken about this big turnaround. He admitted the club wanted to sell the £60m defender. Today Mauricio says Cucurella is the best full-back in the Premier League. It is a story about patience, belief and hard work paying off.
Mauricio Pochettino confirms Chelsea wanted to sell Cucurella at one point:
🗣️ “Cucurella didn’t play from the beginning and the club wanted to sell him, became the best full-back in the Premier League.
Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Jackson, plenty… pic.twitter.com/HgSzSqnsdh
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) February 10, 2026
Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea’s Difficult Season
When Mauricio Pochettino took over as the manager of Chelsea, the team was going through a tough time. The team was not only young but also lacked confidence. Evidently, the team were still learning how to play as a team. Although Pochettino was at Stamford Bridge for the 2023-2024 season. Left with mutual consent after 11 months in May 2024. Guiding Chelsea to finish in sixth position in the Premier League.
That summer, Chelsea signed big names like Moisés Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer. Other players, such as Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella, were already at the club. At that time not everyone believed in Cucurella. His form was poor; fans and pundits often criticised him. Some reports even said Chelsea were ready to let him leave on loan. The pressure was huge, and his future looked uncertain.
Mauricio Pochettino Explains Cucurella’s Big Change
Speaking on the High-Performance Podcast, Mauricio Pochettino explained how things changed for Cucurella. He said the club wanted to sell the player, but the right movement helped him grow instead. Pochettino believes confidence is key for young players.
He said that Cucurella did not play much at first, but he worked hard every day. Slowly, his level improved. Pochettino praised several players who grew during that time, including Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher. But Cucurella’s story stands out the most.
Now, Cucurella plays with energy and focus. He defends well and helps the team move forward. He looks calm and confident on the ball. As a result, Pochettino now believes the Spaniard is the best full-back in the Premier League.
Across all competitions this season. He made 46 appearances, scored 2 goals, gave 4 assists, averaged 88.4% passing accuracy, and maintained a 6.88 overall rating.
Fans and Experts Praises Cucurella
Chelsea fans have noticed Cucurella’s improvement. Many now see him also as one of the team’s leaders. Former Arsenal player Ian Wright recently called him “brilliant” after a strong performance against Wolves. Supporters say Chelsea look weaker when Cucurella is not in the team.
On social media, fans share videos of his tackles, runs and passing moves. Some even argue that his comeback is one of the best in the Premier League this season. From being unwanted to being trusted, Cucurella has won back the crowd in his favour.
Why Cucurella is so important now.
Cucurella has played around 70 games for club and country in the past year. Clearly, that shows how much Chelsea rely on him. Under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenoir, he is almost always in the starting team. Chelsea do not have many players who can replace him easily.
The club hopes young defender Jorrel Hato can help in the future. For now, Cucurella remains key to Chelsea’s plans. His rise also proves that players need time to settle and improve.
Author’s Opinion
In conclusion, while Marc Cucurella’s journey may be an extreme instance, it does go to highlight just how quickly football can change, as a player who seemed like he might be leaving is now a vital part of Chelsea as they prepare for the next match.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
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