Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has raided his former club Chelsea for one of their star defenders, Marc Cucurella.
On Sunday, it emerged that Cucurella is set to join Real Madrid after Los Blancos agreed a transfer fee with Chelsea for the left-back’s signature.
Marc Cucurella is set to join Real Madrid! What’s a fair price? 💸
Mourinho raids Chelsea!
Enzo Fernandez has been heavily linked with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, but Real Madrid have moved for Cucurella first.
Jose Mourinho a fan of Marc Cucurella’s versatility as Real Madrid agree transfer fee with Chelsea
While Real Madrid’s deal to sign Cucurella did come out of the blue, it is hardly a shock that the Spanish club want him.
According to TEAMtalk, Mourinho is a “huge admirer” of Cucurella’s versatility, with the 27-year-old able to play at left-back, left wing-back and left centre-back in a back three.
It is a blow for Chelsea, especially considering that Cucurella is one of their most experienced players. The Blues’ squad has already been criticised for being too young.
However, the Spaniard has been unsettled for a while now and has entered the final two years of his contract.
Chelsea could now sign a new left-back, but they also have Jorrel Hato who can operate in that position.
Marc Cucurella’s record at Chelsea
Cucurella can look back at his time at Chelsea with fond memories. In the 2024/25 season, he won the Club World Cup and Conference League trophies.
In total, Cucurella made 163 appearances for Chelsea. Across those games, the Spain international managed to score nine goals.
Ashley Cole told Chelsea to keep hold of Cucurella, but that request has fell on deaf ears.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were also thought to have been interested in Cucurella, but it is their Spanish rivals who have won the race for the former Brighton & Hove Albion man.
With his future decided, Cucurella can now focus on the World Cup, with Spain taking on Cape Verde in their first group stage game.
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