Marc Cucurella says Chelsea simply have to secure Champions League football for next season, with the Spanish revelation of Euro 2024 enjoying a remarkable renaissance at Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella was previously booed by his own fans who thought he was a £63million waste of money, but the left back signed from Brighton has become something of a cult hero at the club.
He assisted Spain’s winner against England in the final of Euro 2024 and now inverting into midfield under Enzo Maresca, Cucurella says he is loving life at Chelsea. All that is missing is a trophy and an invite into Europe’s most elite competition.
‘It changed very fast,’ Cucurella said. ‘I tried to work on me and what I can do better. We have started to create something important so we need to keep going.
‘Sometimes it’s difficult, we have a personal life, some problems, but now we are very good. I try to work on me and myself. I try to work on my confidence.
‘It’s not easy. It’s the most difficult part of football. One day if you play badly, you feel like you are the worst player. Another day if you play good you might think you are the best.
‘But you need to stay in the middle. If you lose, you’re not the worst. If you win, you’re not the best. Just stay there, focus on what you can improve and try to build on this and trust yourself.
‘If you play for Chelsea, it’s because you have strong qualities. In all careers, you have better and worse moments. But it’s about never stopping working and believing in yourself.’
On Chelsea’s ambitions for this season, Cucurella said: ‘All of us dream of winning trophies. In the league, we know it’s difficult.
‘You have teams who stay with the same project for a long time so there are a few in front of us but our objective, for sure, is to play in the Champions League next season. It’s very important for us.’
Cucurella is surrounded by team-mates on much longer contracts than his own, even if it does expire in 2028. The Spaniard is settled in London, however, and would be open to spending many more years at Chelsea.
‘I’m really happy,’ he said. ‘My family is happy here. We are in a top club with good fans. Hopefully I can stay for a lot of time.’
