A couple of teams will be disappointed with Marc Cucurella’s move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, which was announced on Monday.
Cucurella was in demand, but it is Real Madrid who have won the race for the defender, signing him on a six-year contract.
Some at Chelsea will be gutted with losing such an experienced and talented full-back, but there will also be frustration elsewhere.
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 🇪🇸
Atletico Madrid made offer for Marc Cucurella
Real Madrid’s city rivals Atletico Madrid were also keen on Cucurella and were the club showing the most interest in the 27-year-old at one stage.
According to The Athletic, Atletico actually submitted an opening offer to Chelsea for Cucurella and sent personal terms to the left-back.
Unfortunately for Diego Simeone, Cucurella has opted to join Real Madrid and will be playing at the Santiago Bernabeu next season instead of the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
It was not a surprise to see Cucurella attract so much interest from his home country. Cucurella is a proven Spain international whose contract at Chelsea was running down. There was a deal to be done.
RATE 1-10: Is Marc Cucurella’s exit good business by Chelsea?
Defensively, Cucurella is solid, while he is also capable of carrying a threat going forward. The former Chelsea star showed that under Enzo Maresca.
Back in the 2024/25 season, Cucurella scored seven goals and provided four assists in 54 outings. It is a return that any full-back would be pleased with.
Given that Cucurella is a well-rounded full-back, it is going to be difficult to replace him. Chelsea’s loss will certainly be Real Madrid’s gain.
Hopefully Jorrel Hato can step up to the plate, with the Dutchman now expected to start the new season at left-back. Chelsea could also sign another left-back like Alejandro Grimaldo, a player Xabi Alonso knows well from his time at Bayer Leverkusen.
As for Atletico, what they do will also be interesting, as the best left-back on the market is no longer an option for them.
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