Top News

Chelsea’s own player, Marc Cucurella, has openly criticised the club’s transfer decisions, speaking candidly about the internal problems that have affected their performance this season.

The Spanish left-back admitted that Chelsea’s struggles stem largely from their inconsistent transfer strategy and constant changes in management. Although the Blues still have a mathematical chance of finishing in the Premier League’s top five and qualifying for next season’s Champions League, their recent form suggests they are far from their best.

Following their disappointing Champions League elimination at the hands of PSG last month, Chelsea’s direction has come under serious scrutiny.

The club made the surprising call to sack Enzo Maresca in January, despite the Italian coach having guided them to the Club World Cup title earlier in the summer and keeping them in the race for a top-four finish. Maresca reportedly expressed his discontent at the decision, and Cucurella appears to share his sentiments.

Speaking to The Athletic during the international break, Cucurella praised current manager Liam Rosenior as “a very good person”, but said he would not have dismissed Maresca mid-season. He explained, “The moment Maresca left, it had a big impact on us. These are decisions taken by the club. If you asked me, I would not have made this decision.”

He further added, “The best thing is to wait until the end of the season. That gives the players and the new manager time to prepare properly and have a full pre-season. The instability around the club comes from this – we first had a caretaker, then a new manager with new ideas and no time to implement them. It is what it is.”

Chelsea have now suffered four consecutive defeats in all competitions under Rosenior, yet Cucurella insists the manager is not solely to blame for the situation.

The 27-year-old defender pointed out that Chelsea’s strategy of heavily investing in young talent has disrupted their ability to compete consistently at the highest level. He said, “I understand this is part of the club’s policy, that they want to focus on young players and build for the future. But for those of us who are here now and want to win major honours, moments like this are disheartening.”

“We have a solid core of players and a strong foundation, but to challenge for the Premier League or the Champions League, you need more. You also need time, and while the young players will gain experience eventually, it’s important to find the right balance between youth and experience.”

Chelsea’s co-owner Todd Boehly has been a key figure behind the club’s long-term rebuild, but Cucurella’s comments suggest there is growing frustration within the squad about the club’s direction.

Currently ranked no.9 in FourFourTwo’s list of the world’s best left-backs, Cucurella has also been linked with a possible return to Barcelona. When asked about the speculation, he said, “It would be difficult to refuse. It’s not just about me; I have to think about my family too. If it happens, it happens, and we’ll see what decision is made.”

According to Transfermarkt, Cucurella’s current market value stands at €50 million. Chelsea’s next fixture will be against Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-final on April 4.