Chelsea star has a target on his back: 'They're going after me'

Tom Weber

Updated: 11 Oct 2024 12:36 BST
3 min read

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella claims that he is being targeted in the Premier League after winning Euro 2024.

Article continues under the video

The Spaniard has enjoyed an impressive transformation in recent months. At the end of 2023, Cucurella was still deemed nothing short of an absolute flop signing, having joined Chelsea from Brighton for €65.3 million in 2022.

However, Mauricio Pochettino slowly but surely managed to get him to improve and he became an important Chelsea player under the Argentine. His apogee came at Euro 2024 when Cucurella was outstanding for Spain as they romped to the title.

The 26-year-old became a fan favourite and even started a petty rivalry with Erling Haaland, which didn't end well when the Norwegian scored for Man City against him on opening day.

As a result, Cucurella has reached a new level of stardom and this has brought with it a fresh level of attention, the kind of attention, he claims, that is not always positive.

Cucurella: 'They're going after me'

Speaking to COPE, the left-back has claimed that he is being targeted in the Premier League because English people are 'hurt' after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain.

“You have more impact," he said. "People know you more. Being champion of the Euros is historic and you will always take it with you. Well, I’ve already been suspended for five yellow cards, and I’ve committed very few fouls.

"They’re going after me a bit. They jump on me quickly, especially when we play away. It’s normal, we won, I was involved in the play that led to the goal, I’m playing at their home. It’s normal, they’re hurt.”

So far under Enzo Maresca, Cucurella has played every single Premier League match, but he has not yet featured in the Conference League.