Marc Cucurella says player Chelsea signed this summer can make a big impact

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Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella is confident that his new teammate is going to make a sizeable impact at Stamford Bridge this season.

It was another hectic transfer window at Chelsea in the summer, which included so many incomings and outgoings. Blues head coach Enzo Maresca is now at least clear with the squad he’ll be working with moving forward.

Marc Cucurella, 26, is into his third season as a Chelsea player. Remarkably, that makes him one of the more experienced figures in a young group.

Cucurella was on the chopping block to leave last season, but he’s now in a real position of strength as a key player in the XI.

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Marc Cucurella backs Joao Felix

Cucurella is very positive about the arrival of Joao Felix at Chelsea this summer, tipping him to be a success this season.

The Blues signed Felix in a £46m deal (Sky Sports) from Atletico Madrid last month. It’s not a completely new environment for the 24-year-old attacker because he previously spent six months on loan with the club back in 2023.

When asked if Felix can be a success at Chelsea, Cucurella told EFE: “Yes, he did perform well during his months there. He was unlucky because he was sent off in the first game for an unfortunate, unintentional act. He had many chances afterwards, but he is a player who can contribute a lot to us.

“In the Premier League there is a lot more space, he can move around and hopefully he will help us a lot.”

Competition for Joao Felix

Felix has got superb quality as a footballer, mainly from a technical perspective. The Portuguese forward is excellent at receiving the ball in tight space and dribbling at opponents, plus he’s got an eye for goal.

However, there’s a couple of obvious challenges that he’s facing now he’s become a Chelsea player on a permanent basis.

First of all, Felix desperately has to try find the consistency that’s eclipsed him so far in his senior career. Yes, he’s got all the talent at his feet, but can he put together an extended run of form?

Secondly, there’s so much competition for places in the forward areas at Stamford Bridge.

Felix has the versatility to operate as a left-winger, No.10 or striker. He’s got to get past the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku to get into the XI on a regular basis, though.