Marc Cucurella has already made it clear he has no idea what he’s getting himself in for when he gets his club career back underway since leaving Chelsea.
The Spain international is currently playing a key role for his country at the World Cup, and has been given full licence to focus on that after his move away from Stamford Bridge.
There was an element of surprise in the Spain squad when his switch to Real Madrid was confirmed, taking into account that he came up through the Barcelona academy.
RATE 1️⃣-🔟: Is Marco Palestra a good signing?
Serie A's Best Defender of 2025-26.
Marc Cucurella will regret saying Vinicius Jr can get away with not defending at Real Madrid
At the Bernabeu, he is likely to form a partnership down the left with Vinicius Jr, who is in good form for Brazil at the World Cup himself.
The superstar winger has been accused at times of not doing enough defensive work, although Cucurella told Radio Marca that he ‘doesn’t care’ if he doesn’t get any help with that side of the game.
He said: “I think we’ll get along well. I don’t care if he doesn’t track back, I’ll do everything he doesn’t want to do. As long as he’s decisive and fresh enough to score goals, I’ll do the dirty work.
“Vinicius has shown that he’s a key and influential player in Real Madrid’s Champions League campaigns.”
Maybe Cucurella from 12-18 months ago could have dealt with this demand, however it was clear that he needed help from the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto to assist with the defensive work.
His numbers were nowhere near as strong in the 2025/26 season. He was dribbled past 22 times in the Premier League, which is in the bottom 19% for players in his position.
Even at the World Cup against weak opposition in the form of Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, he has been dribbled past more than the amount of tackles and interceptions he has made.
Cucurella also committed 37 fouls in the league, which ranks in the lowest 4% for those he is competing with in his role.
Chelsea have 10 centre-backs – who are YOU getting rid of? ❌
Colwill and Acheampong are 'untouchable'.
- Josh Acheampong
- Levi Colwill
- Jorrel Hato
- Wesley Fofana
- Trevoh Chalobah
- Mamadou Sarr
- Benoit Badiashile
- Aaron Anselmino
- Tosin Adarabioyo
- Axel Disasi
This came with eight yellow cards and a sending off, and being further exposed by a lack of a defensive winger will not help his case there.
One of the main reasons Chelsea won’t have wanted to hand the Spaniard a new contract is because muscle injuries have started to creep into his game.
He suffered two seperete hamstring injuries last season, and as he gets older these situations are likely to crop up a lot more.
Whether it be Vini Jr or Kylian Mbappe ahead of him, Cucurella isn’t going to get much defensive help in Madrid, and may regret taking on the challenge with seemingly no concern.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
