Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter has shed light on the difficult early days of Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella at Stamford Bridge.
The 26-year-old defender joined Chelsea in the summer of 2022 for a substantial £62 million fee from Brighton, a transfer fee that came with high expectations among the club’s fanbase.
However, according to Potter, the hefty price tag combined with the team’s struggles on the pitch initially turned many fans against the defender, creating what he describes as a “hostile” environment.
Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports for Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday, Potter opened up about the turbulent reception Cucurella faced.
“Delighted for Marc Cucurella, because he’s had a tough start to his career here at Chelsea,” Potter said. “He came in with maybe a high fee, and at a time when the team wasn’t functioning as well as maybe what he was used to.
“He had to take some stick here at Stamford Bridge, it was quite hostile. There was a period of time where he was almost trying to think: if the results aren’t going so well, you want to do as much you can to have the crowd with you. But it was obvious there was a real dislike for Marc here.”
"He had to take some stick here, it was quite hostile at times" 🗣
Graham Potter praises Marc Cucurella progression at Chelsea 👊 pic.twitter.com/zfPCeSTTjO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2024
Cucurella Keeps Saka Quiet to Help Secure Draw
Cucurella produced a Man of the Match performance against Arsenal on Sunday, locking down the Gunners’ right-hand side of attack by keeping Bukayo Saka quiet.
He was also pivotal in Spain’s EURO 2024 success, and was included in the competition’s official Team of the Tournament.
Potter commented on the Spaniard’s turnaround, saying, “It’s a credit to him; he’s got the character. You’re not going to get a better person in terms of how he is with teammates, how good he is around the place, and how he fights every single day.
“That performance against Saka requires intensity and commitment every single day, and he’s been rewarded for that.”
Chelsea are now third in the Premier League table, above Arsenal on goal difference. They’ll look to build on their recent form when they return to action against Leicester following the international break.
