Chelsea Manager Tuchel, And Chairman Boehly Reacts To The Signing Of Marc Cucurella From Brighton.

Chelsea have officially announced the signing of Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion.

After days of high stakes wrangling back and forth, the 24-year-old defender joins the Blues for an initial monster fee of £55m plus £7m in add-ons, and signed a six-year contract with the West London club.

Chelsea made the official announcement on Friday, just within the space of 48 hours after Brighton had debunked reports of Cucurella leaving the club.

Brighton had released a statement on Twitter earlier in the week denying that a deal had been agreed for the player who played an important role in Brigton’s campaign last season where they finished in the top part of the league table.

The Spaniard had a huge impact last season, providing excellent stamina and pace up and down the left flank for Brighton. He also has the defensive knowledge and versatility to play as a left centre-back of a back three. 

Following the completion of the transfer, Cucurella said: “I’m really happy. It’s a big opportunity for me to join one of the best clubs in the world and I’m going to work hard to be happy here and help the team.”

A message from Marc! 👋 #CucurellaIsChelsea pic.twitter.com/Gm2l7WF5Q7

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 5, 2022

The transfer sees Chelsea strengthening their defence, having already signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

Marcos Alonso is also believed to be on the radar of Barcelona. His departure means Chelsea will be left with just Ben Chilwell in the left back position which makes the move for Cucurella quite necessary.

Chelsea co-owner, Todd Boehly, further revealed via the club's website why they signed Marc Cucurella; “Marc is an elite defender of proven Premier League quality and he further strengthens our squad going into the new season.

“We continue to work on and off the pitch, and we’re delighted Marc will be a part of the present and future at Chelsea.”

Manager Thomas Tuchel, also reacted to the signing during his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday; “He is a fantastic, young player. Hungry, mobile, very intelligent player. Can play several positions in our system... Said the German.

“Absolutely, it helps in-depth and especially for Ben Chilwell to escape the pressure of ‘I have to deliver. We need you absolutely now’. We have, of course, also in this position Marcos Alonso, Kenedy and Emerson.”

 

Cucurella becomes Chelsea's fifth major signing of the summer after Raheem Sterling from Man City (£47.5m), Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli (£33m), Gabriel Slonina from Chicago Fire (£12m) and Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa (£20m) for a total expenditure of £172m so far.

Cucurella was registered in time to make his debut tomorrow, potentially, with Ben Chilwell’s fitness not yet secure, and the lack of other options, It would be a quick turnaround.

Colwill was also officially confirmed to be departing the Blues on a season-long loan move to Brighton as part of the transfer.

Though Cucurella is yet to have been officially presented with his squad number, Chelsea uploaded a video on Twitter which has now been deleted. The video showed the wing-back donning the number 32 shirt on his back.