“Hurts a little” – Chelsea star still disappointed over past transfer, coach urged club to keep him

Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella is still disappointed he left Barcelona after featuring only once for their senior team.

Informe Plus have a show with the fullback, titled ‘Cucu… Cucurella’, that’ll air on December 1st. They’ve released a preview and Sport have relayed his comments.

The Chelsea star came through the ranks of Barcelona’s academy but wasn’t given regular minutes with their first team.

Three days ago, the 27-year-old starred for Chelsea in their 3-0 Champions League win over Barcelona.

On Thursday, Mundo Deportivo and Sport covered Barcelona’s disappointment, when looked back on with hindsight. The newspapers pinned the blame on Ernesto Valverde, who was then manager at Barca.

Cucurella impressed at Getafe, which helped him get a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021. A year later, the Seagulls sold him to the west London club.

The fullback had a difficult start at Chelsea but managed to turn things around. He’s won the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup with Chelsea, and Euro 2024 with Spain.

Cucurella explained his Barcelona disappointment provided motivation to launch his career.

“Not being given the opportunity hurts a little. I felt bad, but it helped me grow a lot. Everything I’ve achieved so far, perhaps, if the decision had been different, I wouldn’t have achieved everything I have now,” he said.

Gerard López managed the defender for Barcelona’s reserve team, and the club to keep him.

“In club meetings, planning sessions, and discussions about options for young players to move up to the first team. I always defended him. Just like I did with Grimaldo,” López explained.

“I was convinced that either of them could do it.”