- 9 hours ago
Chelsea star admits Boehly's transfer policy 'difficult' to deal with
Chelsea ended the summer transfer window with 42 members in their first-team squad, which is a number that Marc Cucurella has hinted causes issues.
Todd Boehly’s side were one of the main protagonists of the transfer window, with Chelsea spending close to €250 million on players, with Pedro Neto and Joao Felix the biggest additions at €60m and €52m respectively from Wolves and Atletico Madrid.
While the Blues recouped around €208m from sales, they have nevertheless been left with a huge squad and a situation that Cucurella suggests is not necessarily the healthiest for morale.
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He also called for patience and stability at Stamford Bridge under the new management of Enzo Maresca.
Speaking to the media, he was asked about the situation and admitted: “It's true that it's difficult, with Spain everything is much easier to create a good atmosphere.
“At Chelsea I try, but it's a time of change when many players leave and others come. I try to give my best.”
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He added that the foundation of Spain’s European Championship success was a strong atmosphere in the squad – something that is tricky to replicate among so many competing players.
“One of the keys to success at the Euros was the good group we had. In these tournaments you're together all day, we have to put up with each other and if we hadn't gotten along it would have been difficult,” he said. “Trying to a good atmosphere comes naturally to me.”
Cucurella calls for stability under Maresca
Chelsea have also been prone to changing managers frequently under the Boehly regime, yet Cucurella hopes new boss Maresca can stick around.
“The coach we have is very good, he has very clear ideas,” the former Brighton left-back said. “We've had years of coaching changes, let's see if we can achieve stability without many changes and so that the manager can transmit his ideas.
“We need stability, we have very high-level players and hopefully we can have the patience that is needed, that calm, so that everything goes well. We have the level, we just need stability and for the coaches and players to be allowed to work in order to do something important.”
Cucurella's next Chelsea game will be against Bournemouth on 14 September following the international break.