Marc Cucurella has explained why he left Chelsea for Real Madrid after completing a £52m move back to Spain. The 27-year-old left-back said the deal moved quickly while he was with Spain at the World Cup, leaving him to make a rapid decision once the clubs had broadly agreed terms.
Cucurella spent four years at Chelsea after joining from Brighton, but the chance to join Real Madrid proved decisive. In an interview with The Guardian, he said the process was effectively settled in around a day and a half, allowing him to refocus on Spain duty.
Why Cucurella’s Real Madrid move matters
The transfer gives Jose Mourinho another senior defensive option as Real Madrid reshape their squad for the new season. Cucurella also said he spoke briefly with Mourinho, who made it clear he was looking forward to working with him.
For Madrid, the significance is not only the fee. Cucurella arrives as a Spain international with Premier League experience, Champions League exposure and the flexibility to play as a left-back or wing-back. His Barcelona academy background will make the move more pointed, but the player has framed it as a career step rather than a provocation.
The immediate task is simple: finish the World Cup with Spain, then prove he can handle the pressure that comes with a high-profile switch to the Bernabeu.
