Chelsea signed Marc Cucurella during their first summer spree under Todd Boehly - with the American only targeting the defender because he knew Manchester City wanted him
Todd Boehly has spent over a billion pound on player transfers since taking charge at Chelsea
Todd Boehly has spent over a billion pound on player transfers since taking charge at Chelsea(Image: Getty Images)
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Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly concedes he went after Marc Cucurella on the basis that "if Manchester City wants him, I want him" when he landed the defender from Brighton.
The Spaniard had continued to excel with the Seagulls, back when Graham Potter was at the helm. His performances attracted the attention of some of the biggest clubs in the country with City identifying him as a target.
Cucurella went as far as to put in a transfer request, such was his desire to achieve the move, but late in the day Chelsea swooped in and paid £63million to sign the defender. It was during a major summer spree, the first under Boehly's leadership.
The American wasted no time in splashing the cash when he became a leading figure at Stamford Bridge and also bought in the likes of Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana - but admits knowing that Pep Guardiola wanted Cucurella was enough to make him sign him.
Boehly said during an event on IConnections: "So you're going to make mistakes and obviously having taken over in the circumstances that we did, basically the whole management team left. I was stuck being interim sporting director for the summer having no idea what made a good football player. But knowing that Marc Cucurella, if Man City wants him, I want him. It was really simple that way."
City weren't reportedly willing to pay Brighton's asking price for the transfer, but Chelsea were ultimately prepared to cough up the cash. He has now made over 140 appearances for Chelsea and has a deal in west London until June 2028.
Cucurella initially found it difficult to make the transition from Brighton to Chelsea and his signing was not overly approved by the fanbase. It saw him criticised before eventually winning over the Blues' faithful with the defender admitting the expectations on him were huge, with his price tag a factor.
Marc Cucurella has won over the Chelsea fans after a difficult start
Marc Cucurella has won over the Chelsea fans after a difficult start
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He said previously: "At the beginning it was very tough because the team didn't have maybe identity or didn't have a clear way to play. I struggled a little and then I understood that the club paid a lot of money for me so they expect that I'm a machine and I score every game! The first games [at Chelsea] I don't feel like I enjoyed."
Cucurella was largely a squad player until he was a starter for Spain at Euro 2024, where they would triumph. His quality was evident throughout the tournament and he's been far more appreciated since that success.
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