Marc Cucurella, the Spanish left-back signed by Chelsea for a significant £62m in 2022, has opened up about a pivotal moment in his career that helped him transform his fortunes at Stamford Bridge. After a challenging start marked by criticism and inconsistency, Cucurella attributes his resurgence to a period of introspection during an ankle injury that sidelined him for three months last season.
Reflecting on this period in an interview with The Guardian, Cucurella acknowledged the unexpected positive impact of his injury, stating, “If I had to name a moment that changed my career – and it’s weird because it’s an injury and no one wants to be injured – it’s the ankle injury last season.” He described how the enforced break gave him valuable time for reflection and mental recovery, during which he sought guidance from a mental coach to regain confidence and clarity.
“The criticism is hard, you take it personally,” Cucurella admitted. “Once the game is over, it’s over. It gets in your head more and you lose confidence.” However, the enforced break allowed him to reset mentally, leading to a newfound resilience and self-awareness. “I’ve reached a point where it doesn’t matter. It’s not easy to get there; I’ve worked at it,” he added.
Beyond the injury, Cucurella also highlighted the off-field challenges he faced upon joining Chelsea, which added to his initial struggles on the pitch. “When I went to Chelsea it all happened to me,” he recounted, citing prolonged hotel stays, personal security concerns after a burglary incident, and health issues that affected his early performances.
During the World Cup, his family experienced a burglary while in Brazil, which deeply affected them. “My wife went into the bedroom and found them. It wasn’t nice; we went back to a hotel because we were scared,” he recalled. These off-field incidents, combined with health setbacks that landed him in the hospital, tested his resolve and ability to perform under pressure.
Cucurella also discussed the frequent managerial changes at Chelsea, which further complicated his adjustment to the club. “I’ve had more coaches at Chelsea than in my career,” he noted, listing Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Mauricio Pochettino, and Enzo Maresca among those he’s worked under. Each managerial transition brought its own set of challenges and adjustments, impacting his playing style and role within the team.
“Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Mauricio Pochettino, now Enzo,” he recounted. “I wasn’t with Tuchel for long; we could hardly get to know each other.” The rapid turnover of managers required Cucurella to continually adapt to new tactics and expectations, adding another layer of complexity to his early career at Chelsea.
Despite the turbulent start, Cucurella’s perseverance and resilience have shone through, culminating in his strong performances for Spain during Euro 2024 and a promising start to the current season under new manager Enzo Maresca. His journey serves as a testament to the challenges faced by modern footballers and the resilience required to overcome them.
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