The big moves are now starting to happen. And the first one will come as bad news for Xabi Alonso, who has been handed a blow even before officially arriving as Chelsea manager. He is set to lose one of his best players to Real Madrid.
For a while, it was expected that some senior players would want to leave Chelsea this summer. That is understandable, considering how poor the Blues have been over the last four years.
One of the players Alonso was seemingly keen to keep is Marc Cucurella. Just recently, the Spaniard had confirmed that he had spoken with the incoming manager. Many saw it as a hint that the left-back could stay. Exactly the opposite has happened the very next day. This is how quickly things can change in football.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement to sign Cucurella from Chelsea. Here we go.
Cucurella leaving hurts Chelsea’s future under Alonso
So, this is the end of the Cucurella story at Chelsea. It had felt like he had mentally checked out for the past six months anyway.
Romano also confirmed that Cucurella will leave Chelsea in order to join Chelsea following the World Cup.
Cucurella’s exit is a blow for Chelsea though, no matter which way you look at it. There has been all this talk about the club signing Premier League-proven and experienced players this summer.
Cucurella was exactly those two things. Also, he has been a mainstay for Spain and someone who has proven that he can perform in the big games as well.
A lot of Chelsea fans seemed very open to the prospect of Cucurella leaving. But at the end of the day, it is likely to continue the same cycle of replacing proven senior-level players with unproven youngsters. This exit certainly makes the Blues weaker.
Who should Chelsea sign to replace Cucurella?
Jorrel Hato was excellent in the second half of the season. But is he ready to go ahead and establish himself as a starter for Chelsea?
I am not quite sure about that. Let’s hope that Chelsea go out and sign a top-quality left-back to replace Cucurella this summer.
In my mind, the top pick is quite clear. Chelsea must do everything possible to bring in Lewis Hall from Newcastle United.
He is someone the club should have never let go in the first place. Hall has proven himself to be one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.
For some reason, Thomas Tuchel left him out of the World Cup squad. Let’s hope that has convinced him to leave Newcastle United.
And let’s also hope that he is open to the idea of returning to Chelsea, having come through the Cobham ranks. The starting spot is his if he does.
