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Analysis: Barcelona's Marc Cucurella alternative is the player they really need

5 Jun 2026 17:09 BST | 5 min read

Marc Cucurella, Barcelona, 2025/26

Robin Bairner

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Barcelona could be ready to turn their back on Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, with an even stronger left-back in the sights of Hansi Flick’s side.

Although the focus of Barcelona’s transfer window thus far has primarily been on attacking players – Anthony Gordon has signed, a €100 million bid has been launched for Julian Alvarez, a deal for Bernardo Silva is in the works and the Marcus Rashford issue remains – the Catalan side also want to strengthen their defensive ranks.

A deal for Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni appears to have been put firmly on the backburner, but rumours of a deal for a new left-back are heating up.

Marc Cucurella has been the player most intently linked with a move to Camp Nou, with the Spain international thought to be unsettled at Chelsea, but now Barca have turned their attentions towards a new – and better – option.

Barcelona tracking Cambiaso – Fabrizio Romano

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Cambiaso is a name on Barcelona’s shortlist. Speaking on the Italian version of his YouTube channel, he confirmed: “Cambiaso is one of two or three candidates for the role of left-back at Barcelona. He is a player that Barça have followed and evaluated.

“Can Cambiaso leave Juventus? There is this possibility. If the right offer arrives for the player, but especially for Juventus, then it may be possible to separate in the summer.”

The Juve star has previously been linked to Chelsea as a potential replacement for Cucurella, who has also attracted interest from Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

The Blues seem to have lined Cambiaso up as a replacement for the former Getafe man should he leave. That could eventually mean going head-to-head with Barca in the transfer market should they miss out on Cucurella.

Marc Cucurella, Chelsea

Cambiaso vs Cucurella: Who should Barcelona pick?

Cambiaso is a stronger left-back than Cucurella, according to data analytics firm SciSports.

Interestingly, the data analytics firm, which assigns every player a SciSkill score based on hundreds of in-game data points, ranks Alejandro Balde as a better option at left-back than Cambiaso. But the Italian is rated more highly than Cucurella.

At 26 years old, one year younger than the Spaniard, he offers more obvious attacking qualities, particularly in terms of his crossing and dribbling. However, he is most effective as a wing-back – a style that Hansi Flick does not tend to employ at Barcelona.

Cambiaso vs Cucurella, Career development

SciSports, meanwhile, indicates that he is simply a better player than Cucurella. He has a greater SciSkill than the current Chelsea star.

The caveat to this is that Cucurella has been in the midst of a dramatic slump in recent months and has a higher peak score than the Italy international. If he were to regain his best level of 106.6, he would be marginally the stronger player. Cambiaso currently scores 105.2.

One to watch

There will be no deal done soon, though.

“Today there is still nothing imminent because Barcelona have other priorities before going for that position,” Romano indicated.

Cambiaso to Barcelona is, nevertheless, one to watch for the future.