Following Marc Cucurella’s arrival at Real Madrid, Marca analysed the left‑back situation for the Whites.
At Real Madrid, a club accustomed to high‑profile signings, the arrival of a defender usually fails to spark massive excitement, save for a handful of special cases. Still, among the six new signings secured by the club this season, none has stirred more excitement among Madridistas hungry for a new spiritual talisman than Marc Cucurella, especially after Rodri, another Spain World Cup winner, turned down Real Madrid’s advances.
The former Chelsea defender has already won favour among Spanish fans. Yesterday, he arrived at the Valdebebas training ground to officially begin his Real Madrid career, aiming to win over the Santiago Bernabéu stands. Though he already possesses solid ability, he knows full well the unforgiving standards at this white cathedral, and must prove himself through performances on the pitch.
Bernabéu supporters have long yearned for the kind of attack‑minded left‑back wearing the number 3 shirt who could deliver visual thrills for the fans. They therefore hope Marc Cucurella can be that chosen player, recreating the sight of Marcelo surging down the left flank with his flowing long hair.
Indeed, the left‑back position has been a source of constant debate ever since Marcelo’s departure. Zinedine Zidane foresaw Marcelo’s declining form and placed his faith in Ferland Mendy. The Frenchman delivered rock‑solid defensive displays to lock down the starting spot, at one point ruling the left‑hand corridor without question
Injuries, however, became Mendy’s biggest foe. Real Madrid returned to the transfer market and splashed €50 million to sign former Benfica defender Carreras. Just one year on, the club signed one of the world’s top players in this position. Carreras is now expected to operate as backup to Marc Cucurella. Meanwhile, Mendy, who underwent surgery for a muscle tear, is not projected to return before late September or October at the earliest.
No One But Cucurella
José Mourinho is delighted by Marc Cucurella’s arrival. This stems not only from his unquestionable defensive output but also his capacity for high‑intensity pressing and progressive ball‑carrying in the opposition half. Accordingly, Mourinho gave clear instructions to the club hierarchy: “No one but Cucurella.” Real Madrid subsequently submitted a €70‑million offer to Chelsea.
“You are needed in my project, there is no one else for this role,” Mourinho told Marc Cucurella over the phone. Real Madrid then launched a lightning‑fast operation to secure the player’s signature within merely 48 hours. “I had other options on the table, yet when the Real Madrid opportunity arose, I did not hesitate. I believe this is a one‑of‑a‑kind chance. Mourinho told me how badly he wanted to work alongside me, trusted I would thrive at Real Madrid, and emphasised the club’s grand legacy. What impressed me most was that he had closely studied my performances from last season and laid out his tactical expectations for me with great clarity.”
