Marc Cucurella Shines in Spain’s Euro 2024 Run, Reflects on Chelsea Challenges
MUNICH, Germany – Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella has emerged as one of the standout performers in Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, attributing his success to his hard work and persistence during a challenging period at Chelsea.
Preparing to face France on Tuesday for a spot in the final, the 25-year-old defender expressed pride in the results of his dedication over the past two tumultuous seasons at the West London club.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s sooner or later, if people talk about you, it’s good. What is happening is the fruit of many years of working in silence,” Cucurella said during a Sunday press conference. “Nobody has given me anything, so I am very happy right now. I knew that if I worked hard and gave my best, this could happen. It’s a dream to be here, and a lot of people would give everything they have to be here where I am.”
Cucurella stressed the importance of finishing the job, noting, “There are a couple steps left. If we don’t play in the final on Sunday, it won’t do any good. We have to make one more effort to get there.”
Cucurella’s performance at the Euros marks a significant turnaround from his initial struggles at Chelsea, where he arrived two years ago in a £62 million transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion. Despite a difficult first season and an injury-plagued start to his second, Cucurella finished the past season strongly, showcasing his versatility by playing both on the left and as an inverted full-back.
His resurgence secured him a place in Spain’s Euro 2024 squad, with coach Luis de la Fuente selecting him over Alejandro Grimaldo. Cucurella has repaid this faith with standout performances on the left side of the defense.
With right-back Dani Carvajal set to miss Tuesday’s match against France due to suspension, Cucurella’s adaptability, evident from his time at Chelsea, could be a crucial asset for Spain.
Reflecting on his career, Cucurella said, “I’ve had to try a bit of everything, and that has helped me a lot to know how to counteract, because I’ve also played further forward. My position is left back. At Chelsea, due to circumstances, I had to play on the right. But wherever I play, I will try to do my best because the important thing is to win.”
Highlighting the team spirit within the Spanish squad, Cucurella added, “We are a group of players that give everything for our teammates, and that’s one of the secrets. I think we have created a great group. We have a mix of veterans and very young players, and that makes it all very enjoyable. The key is to be like a family. We may not have superstars, but as a team, we are good, we are doing well, and I hope we keep that way.”
($1 = 0.7808 pounds)
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Christian Radnedge)