There are rumours that Marc Cucurella to Chelsea could be announced before the Blues kick off their Premier League season against Everton this weekend.
This comes after agreements are made involving the left-back and Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill heading to the AMEX Stadium on loan. Despite Brighton's statement denying any premature agreement, manager Graham Potter left the Spaniard out of team training on Thursday ahead of their clash against Man United on the weekend.
Hours after that decision, the Athletic amongst others reported that the Blues will be paying a £62million package for the former Getafe man whilst 19-year-old Colwill will be going on loan to the south coast. football.london understands that the Blues' interest in the soon-to-be fifth recruit of the summer stems back all the way to his Getafe days, so no wonder they may have paid a little other the odds to convince the Seagulls to sell only after one season.
READ MORE: Marc Cucurella to Chelsea transfer: In London for medical, done deal, Brighton deny agreement
It's a deal that former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher says he does not understand from Chelsea's perspective in spite of the fact he is to prove good competition to Ben Chilwell in a position that became a weak point once the former Leicester man sustained that damaging ACL rupture in October 2021.
"I don't understand that one [Chelsea's move for Cucurella]," Carragher said on the Overlap ahead of 2022/23. "You [Chelsea] bought Ben Chilwell for £50million and then you’re trying to get another left-back. You didn’t want him a month ago, you want them now?"
It's important to remember that not only Marcos Alonso will be off to Barcelona to vacate a position in the left-wing-back slot but Cucurella's versatility to play as a left-centre-back is something that manager Thomas Tuchel wants to utilise in his preferred back five system.
Cucurella providing competition for an out-of-sorts Chilwell in 2022/23 is a no-go for Carragher but this is the opposite of what was said when speaking about Joao Cancelo and the healthy rivalry that could be forged there if the Brighton man would have made the switch up north instead.
"Since Pep has been there, Man City have lacked a real outstanding left back," he said earlier this window to Sky Sports via Sussex World. "It has always been a position for different players. Joao Cancelo has done as well as anyone.
"I'm sure Pep would like a left footer in there and Oleksandr Zinchenko has gone to Arsenal. Man City usually spend £40million to £50million on full backs since Pep came. Like any transfer, you have to see if he plays well and is he worth it?
"He looks a classy player in the Brighton shirt and they play similar type of football to Manchester City. I'm sure he would be a good signing for Man City and a player they possibly need and give competition for Cancelo."
Chelsea fans- Is £62million too much for Marc Cucurella? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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