Chelsea FC v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 - Source: Getty
Chelsea FC v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 - Source: Getty
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has revealed the driving force behind the club's move for Marc Cucurella in the summer of 2023. The Blues spent over £60 million to land the Spain international on a permanent deal from Brighton & Hove Albion as they spent heavily that summer.
Boehly addressed an audience at iConnections, revealing that he had no idea what Cucurella's qualities were or what made him a good football player. He said that he noticed that Manchester City were interested in the Spaniard and decided that he must be a good player, due to their interest.
"Having taken over in the circumstances that we did, basically the whole management team left. I was stuck being interim Sporting Director for a summer, having no idea what made a good football player. But knowing that Marc Cucurella, if Man City wanted him, I want him. It was really simple that way", he said (via GOAL).
Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed the takeover of Chelsea in 2022 and saw most of the senior management staff leave the club before the summer of 2023. As a result, Boehly was forced to act as an interim Sporting Director in his first transfer window, handling transfer negotiations on his own.
Chelsea signed the likes of Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Kalidou Koulibaly with Boehly as Sporting Director. They also spent about £70 million on Wesley Fofana, their most expensive signing in that summer. Of all the signings, Cucurella has impressed the most, becoming a key player and arguably the world's best in his position in the last few years.
Chelsea remain without Cucurella for Arsenal clash
Chelsea are set to take on city rivals Arsenal without key defender Marc Cucurella. The Spain international continues to miss out of action for the Blues due to a hamstring problem he picked up last month.
Blues coach Liam Rosenior told reporters that Cucurella will not be available for the game at the Emirates as he has yet to recover from his injury. The Spaniard was forced off at halftime against Leeds United on February 10th after feeling discomfort in his hamstring.
Rosenior has deployed Jorrel Hato and Malo Gusto at left-back in Cucurella's absence, but the 27-year-old's absence leaves big shoes to fill for the Blues. The former Brighton man has appeared 35 times across all competitions this season, scoring once and providing three assists for his side.