Former Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella will be an important player for Spain boss Luis de la Fuente at this year’s World Cup.
Cucurella was Spain’s first-choice left-back at Euro 2024 and helped his nation to win that tournament.
He has now joined Real Madrid from Chelsea, and De la Fuente has shared his thoughts on that transfer.
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 🇪🇸
Luis de la Fuente happy Marc Cucurella has left Chelsea for Real Madrid
De la Fuente spoke just before it was announced that Cucurella has signed for Real Madrid. He wanted what his player wanted so is happy with his move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking to AS and other outlets in a press conference ahead of Spain’s opening World Cup game against Cape Verde, the 64-year-old: “I know these players well, and I know their commitment. We experienced similar situations [transfer rumours] at the European Championship and handled them very naturally.
“No one would do anything that could hurt the group. And if it’s good news for Cucurella, we’re happy for him. It’s good for the player and it’s good for the team.”
In contrast, Chelsea fans will be disappointed with Cucurella’s switch to Real Madrid. He was one of the club’s most experienced players and a solid defender.
The Spain international will not be easy to replace, although the Blues could already have a ready-made successor in Jorrel Hato.
Enzo Fernandez will now be hoping to join Cucurella at the Bernabeu. Fernandez’s agent has promised him a transfer this summer, and the Spanish capital is thought to be his preferred destination.
His situation is a lot different to Cucurella’s, though. Cucurella’s contract was running down and Chelsea only valued him at around £50m.
Fernandez, on the other hand, has a contract until 2032 and is valued closer to the £120m mark. It is unlikely that Real Madrid will pay that fee, but Chelsea have every right to demand that amount of money.
Nottingham Forest are demanding more than £120m for Elliot Anderson, an inferior midfielder to Fernandez. If he is going to cost over £120m, so should Fernandez.
It is something to keep an eye on, but Cucurella could end up being the only player Real Madrid sign from Chelsea, with the Blues highly unlikely to sell Fernandez on the cheap.
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