Marc Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid might be a bigger blow to Chelsea than most are giving it credit for. Yes, €60 million is a big transfer package for someone who is going to turn 28 years of age soon. But that is thinking like a ‘selling club’ not one which is competing for trophies.
Cucurella was a nailed-on starter for Chelsea. On his day, he is one of the very best left-backs in the world. And he was one of the few players in the squad with top-level experience, and who was in his prime.
So, that is what Chelsea have lost with this move. And replacing it will not be easy. Xabi Alonso was believed to be keen to keep Cucurella. But ultimately, he wanted a return to Spain and has gotten it. The La Masia graduate will be donning Real Madrid’s iconic white jersey from next season. As for the Blues, they need to find a proper replacement for him.
According to Record, Chelsea have already opened the door to welcome Maxi Araujo. With Cucurella’s move to Real Madrid, the Blues are preparing to enter the scene in the search for a left-back and have the Sporting player as one of their main targets.
Chelsea trying to engineer move for Uruguayan international
The report from Portugal further goes to state that after live observations and even inquiries with the player’s representatives, Chelsea may, in the coming weeks, take the next step and try to understand what conditions are necessary for Sporting CP to agree to transfer of Araujo.
Araujo has been on the books at Sporting CP since 2024. And he has enjoyed a meteoric rise since then. Before that, he was playing his football in Mexico.
Now, Araujo finds himself under the spotlight. He scored Uruguay’s sole goal in the 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener.
It remains to be seen how the rest of his tournament goes. But he can expect to find his name in the transfer rumour mill over the next few weeks, even as he takes part in the World Cup.
What Maxi Araujo interest says about Xabi Alonso’s plans
From the kind of players Chelsea are being linked with right now, it is looks like it is quite clear that Alonso is at least eyeing the wing-back role as a possibility.
Chelsea did start to play with three at the back toward the end of last season. Soon afterwards, it was confirmed that Alonso would be the club’s next manager.
Now, they are being linked with players like Araujo and Alejandro Grimaldo. Another name that emerged last night was that of Italian international Marco Palestra, another elite wing-back prospect, who was named Serie A’s best defender last season in what was an anomaly of a campaign.
It remains to be seen if Chelsea are able to get a deal done for Araujo or not. And if they do, would he be the right choice?
If you ask me personally, I would still prefer for the club to go out and sign Lewis Hall, who has shown potential to become the best left-back in the Premier League. He is also a Cobham graduate.
But with how little noise there has been about that possibility, even after Cucurella’s exit, a move for Hall just does not seem to be on the cards. Unless Chelsea are moving very quietly behind the scenes.
