Chelsea failed to sell every player that is out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea star Marc Cucurella has shared an unexpected update during the international break after his failed summer transfer exit. The Spanish defender rejected moves to RB Leipzig, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla in order to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old rejected a move to West London rivals Fulham on deadline day after a loan move to Manchester United collapsed. Erik ten Hag’s side had hoped to sign Cucurella on loan, but after he featured in the Carabao Cup second round win against Wimbledon, United turned their focus to signing Sergio Reguilon.
Fabrizio Romano also revealed a week after the deadline passed that Manchester City had a ‘secret’ approach to sign the 25-year-old on a loan deal with a buy option rejected by Chelsea in January. Cucurella now remains committed to fighting for his place in Mauricio Pochettino’s team with Ben Chilwell clearly the first choice left-back.
However, Cucurella is yet to make a Premier League appearance this term with Ian Maatsen considered to be Chilwell’s back-up. Ian Maatsen has been preferred as a substitute ahead of the Spaniard so far this season, but the Dutchman could leave Stamford Bridge next summer if he does not start more games.
Cucurella may reconsider his stance on staying at Chelsea to push for a starting spot in the team if he remains third choice left-back until January. The 25-year-old has now shared an update during the international break in which many of those who were not called up to represent their nations, stayed at Cobham to put in extra training work.
However, it seems Cucurella is currently on holiday. The Spaniard posted a picture of a hot tub in a cliffside resort – very different to the settings seen at Chelsea’s training ground.
This suggests he has either been given time for a holiday by Pochettino – or is not using the international break to train harder and potentially displace Chilwell from the starting XI. Instead, after being close to leaving Stamford Bridge all summer, Cucurella is now on holiday after failing to secure an exit from the Blues.
