Marc Cucurella says leaving Barcelona to play regular first-team football was one of the best decisions of his life – and it's ultimately what set the Spaniard on the path to joining Chelsea this summer in a deal worth £62million.
During his formative years in Barcelona's academy – which he joined from Catalan rivals Espanyol at 13 years old – the defender earned comparisons to club legend Carles Puyol. His tenacity was valued, his commitment lauded. Throw in Cucurella's technical prowess and few could deny a career in the professional game awaited the youngster.
The problem was Barcelona were set at left-back with Jordi Alba; there was little chance of Cucurella usurping the Spanish international. So in the summer of 2018, he joined Eibar on loan. A year later came a switch to Getafe, a move which was made permanent in June 2020.
