Chelsea FC are reportedly preparing to offer a new contract to their versatile left-back Marc Cucurella, a testament to his remarkable turnaround and pivotal role in Enzo Maresca’s squad during the 2024/25 season.
The club views Cucurella as "untouchable" in Maresca’s plans, with no intention of entertaining offers, including a rumoured €70 million bid from Al-Nassr. This decision underscores Cucurella’s transformation from a struggling signing to a cornerstone of Chelsea’s recent successes, including their UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs.
🚨✍ Chelsea plan to offer new deal to Marc Cucurella. [@FabrizioRomano] pic.twitter.com/j5L6MIvIpZ
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) July 29, 2025
From Struggles to Stardom
When Cucurella joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion for £62 million in 2022, expectations were high, but his initial stint was challenging. Booed at times by fans during his first season, the Spaniard struggled with inconsistency and adapting to the Premier League’s demands at Stamford Bridge. However, under Maresca’s guidance in the 2024/25 campaign, Cucurella has undergone a remarkable renaissance, emerging as one of Chelsea’s most reliable and dynamic players.
Maresca’s tactical setup, which emphasizes fluidity and positional versatility, has been a perfect fit for Cucurella’s skill set. The 27-year-old, a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, excels in the inverted full-back role, seamlessly transitioning into midfield to control possession and disrupt opposition attacks. Maresca himself noted, “Cucu has a background with the Barcelona academy, La Masia. The reason why Cucu is doing so well with us is because the way we like to play is exactly the way that is good for him.” This synergy has allowed Cucurella to showcase his technical prowess, work rate, and knack for arriving in the box at key moments.
Impressive Statistical Impact
Cucurella’s numbers reflect his importance. In the 2024/25 season, he featured in 54 matches across all competitions, logging over 5,000 minutes for club and country. His offensive contributions were exceptional for a left-back, with seven goals and four assists, including five Premier League goals from December to May and a strike in the Conference League quarter-finals. His winner against Manchester United in 2025 made him Chelsea’s top scorer in the calendar year, a remarkable feat for a defender.
Beyond his stats, Cucurella’s versatility has been a cornerstone of Maresca’s tactical flexibility. Whether deployed as an inverted midfielder, an attacking wide player against low-block defenses, or a traditional left-back, he has excelled. His defensive discipline, while occasionally tested, has improved significantly, with Maresca’s system designed to mask his weaknesses while amplifying his strengths in possession and attacking output.
Chelsea’s Squad Depth Concerns
Chelsea’s reliance on Cucurella highlights a vulnerability: the lack of a natural replacement. With Renato Veiga departing for Juventus on loan in January and expected to leave permanently, and other options like Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto not suited to the left-back role long-term, Cucurella’s workload has been immense. He played every minute of Chelsea’s opening Club World Cup group games and missed only two Premier League matches due to suspension. This durability, while impressive, raises concerns about potential fatigue or injury.
The proposed new deal reflects Chelsea’s recognition of Cucurella’s importance and their desire to secure his future amid interest from abroad, including a €70 million offer from Al-Nassr. Chelsea swiftly rebuffed such bids, signaling their commitment to building around the Spaniard. Cucurella has expressed contentment at Chelsea, emphasizing the need for stability: “I’m happy, I think the coach we have is very good, he has very clear ideas. We need stability, we have very high-level players and hopefully we can have that patience that is needed.”
Chelsea’s decision to prioritize a new contract aligns with their strategy to balance squad investment with financial prudence. While linked with defensive reinforcements like Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, the focus on retaining Cucurella suggests confidence in his ability to anchor the left flank for years to come. The emergence of academy prospect Ishe Samuels-Smith, who signed a six-year deal, offers future competition, but Cucurella’s current form makes him indispensable.
A Symbol of Resilience
As Chelsea gear up for the 2025/26 season, with Champions League football secured and ambitions of a Premier League title challenge, Cucurella’s role will only grow. His journey from a £60 million question mark to a fan favorite and tactical linchpin is a testament to resilience, coaching, and belief. A new deal would reward his contributions and signal Chelsea’s intent to build a stable, competitive future around players who embody Maresca’s philosophy. For Cucurella, it’s a chance to cement his legacy at Stamford Bridge as a symbol of perseverance and adaptability.
