Marc Cucurella’s exit was swift and blunt, with the left-back now confirmed as a Real Madrid player, having signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid. Now, his partner has responded with a statement.
Reports emerged on Sunday evening that Cucurella had completed a move to join Real Madrid for an initial £47.5m. Another £4.3m in add-ons will go to Chelsea, but it is unclear what those add-ons are.
Who would you rather see at left-back next season, Jorrel Hato or Lewis Hall?
Hall is being linked with a return to Chelsea following Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid 🇪🇸
Chelsea spent £60m to sign Cucurella from Brighton, and while it is a minimal loss, it is a profit in terms of book value. Cucurella had spent four years at Stamford Bridge and is now set for a new adventure.
Despite coming through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Cucurella will now be part of a new era at Real Madrid under Chelsea legend Jose Mourinho. The deal was confirmed by both clubs on Monday morning.
Marc Cucurella’s partner Claudia Rodriguez posts statement
Cucurella has remained silent on his social media channels, and both clubs have only gone as far as confirming the deal. There has been nothing by way of quotes from Cucurella or managers on the deal.
However, his long-term partner, Claudia Rodriguez, posted a touching statement to Chelsea supporters following confirmation of the move. She spoke of the heartbreak at leaving Chelsea after four years.
But she signed off in a way Chelsea fans will love, posting: “London will always be blue”. Below is Rodriguez’s statement in full, which she posted on her Instagram story following Cucurella’s departure.
“I don’t know how to say goodbye to my home. Thank you to everyone that has been a part of this experience; I feel so lucky for everything we’ve shared over these past years,” Rodriguez began.
“I arrived with two babies, and I’m leaving with two little boys and a British girl, and I don’t know how I’m going to explain to them that Chelsea is no longer part of our lives,” Cucurella’s partner continued.
“Everything we’ve experienced has been a pure learning experience; we’ve lived through it all, but above all, we’ve enjoyed this journey. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this chapter of our lives.
“Thank you to my girls, whom I’m going to miss a lot, and thank you to every Blue I’ve met. I wish you all the best; London will always be Blue,” Rodriguez ended, finishing with a statement fans will love to read.
RATE 1-10: Is Marc Cucurella’s exit good business by Chelsea?
How Thiago Silva reacted to Marc Cucurella’s Chelsea exit
It has come as a shock given Cucurella had suggested earlier in the week that he would be staying at Chelsea. Indeed, the former Brighton star said he had spoken with Xabi Alonso about the new era.
His partner’s statement suggests it was a shock, and came out of the blue. These days, it is rare for a player’s transfer to be conducted so quickly, with some suggestions that Madrid only bid on Saturday.
But Madrid moved quickly, in fear that Barcelona or Atletico Madrid may match their offer. Thiago Silva was among those to respond on Chelsea’s Instagram, simply posting a crying emoji to Cucurella’s exit.
Chelsea are expected to bring in a replacement for Cucurella, with Sporting’s Maxi Araujo and Lewis Hall considered as possible signings. Juventus ace Andrea Cambiaso has also been linked in recent weeks.
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