Agent Cucurella: Caicedo 'wants to join Chelsea' says defender

Cameron Smith

• 18 Jul 2023 18:36 BST
• 3 min read

Marc Cucurella has admitted that he has a “good relationship” with Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo and thinks the Ecuador international “wants to come to Chelsea” amid ongoing transfer talk.

Caicedo has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea are yet to agree a fee with Brighton for his services. The Blues have reportedly seen two bids knocked back by the Seagulls, the second of which was worth €70 million.

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However, Caicedo has openly said he couldn’t say no to joining Chelsea and Cucurella has added further speculation that suggests the Ecuadorian will be a Chelsea player by the end of the summer transfer window.

Speaking to the media ahead of Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Wrexham, Cucurella said: “I think he wants to come here at Chelsea, I've read in the media lots of times. I have a good relationship with him, he is a good midfielder - and if he comes I think we have a top midfielder for a long time.”

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Cucurella’s Chelsea struggles

Cucurella, 24, joined Chelsea from Brighton last summer, with Levi Colwill departing in the opposite direction on a season-long loan deal.

However, despite impressing in his debut Premier League season at the AMEX Stadium - winning Brighton’s ‘Player of the Year’ award - Cucurella struggled at Stamford Bridge last term and was dropped for academy product Lewis Hall towards the end of the campaign.

Ian Maatsen has returned from his loan spell at Burnley, while Ben Chilwell remains competition for Cucurella, and Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he wants to look at all four options as he believes “ increased competition can only improve performance.”

Pochettino revealed that during a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s pre-season clash against Wrexham in the USA tomorrow. The Blues have flown out to the States for a tour of the country, which will include their participation in the Premier League Summer Series.

Cucurella has also confirmed that he will not be moving on this summer, despite speculation that he could depart just 12 months after arriving. “For sure, I want to stay at Chelsea. Sometimes you need time to adapt,” he admitted.

Pochettino was also questioned about Caicedo and the prospect of him joining Chelsea. “All of our team are working very hard to get what we want,” the former Tottenham Hotspur manager replied. “I don't want to speak about specific names. Like us, many clubs are working to sign a player to improve their team”.