Although Marc Cucurella has become a somewhat divisive figure—thanks in part to the occasional bout of theatrics—there is little disputing that he is an ideal left-back for the demands of the modern game.

The Chelsea defender came through the youth systems at Espanyol and Barcelona, but never managed to establish himself at the Camp Nou. With Jordi Alba firmly entrenched in the starting role, opportunities were limited, prompting Cucurella to seek his breakthrough elsewhere.
From Barcelona to the Premier League

His senior career began with a loan move to Eibar, followed by another at Getafe, where his performances earned him a permanent transfer. His consistency in LaLiga caught the attention of Brighton & Hove Albion, who brought him to the Premier League. From there, Chelsea swooped in—marking the most successful chapter of his club career to date.

A reliable figure in Chelsea’s defence, Cucurella has excelled across multiple systems, whether deployed in a back three, four, or five. With his contract running until 2028, he has no pressing need to look for a new challenge.

However, reports from Spain suggest Atlético Madrid may look to disrupt that stability, with Los Rojiblancos said to be preparing a €40 million offer. Whether a return to Spain—especially in a World Cup year—would be wise remains an open question.
Tenacity and Desire

Talks have yet to advance to the point where any party needs to worry, but if Cucurella wants to ensure he remains on track for Spain’s World Cup squad, a mid-season move might not be ideal. A summer transfer, therefore, seems more logical.

If Atlético were to pursue him at the end of the season, what exactly would they be getting?
First and foremost, Cucurella brings relentless energy, aggression, and determination—traits perfectly aligned with Diego Simeone’s philosophy. Since joining Getafe in 2019/20, he has recovered possession an impressive 1,308 times and attempted 2,449 one-on-one duels. His duel success rate has rarely dipped below 50%, peaking at 74.2% during Chelsea’s 2023/24 League Cup campaign.

Physically, he has coped superbly with the rigours of top-level football. Of 573 tackles attempted in the same period, he has won 380, including a remarkable 72.7% success rate during the FIFA Club World Cup.

Attacking Presence
Aerial ability remains the weakest aspect of his game, though he has still managed 172 headed clearances since 2019/20. Where he truly thrives is driving up and down the left flank. His forward surges often add an extra dimension to his team’s attack—though on occasion he can be caught high up the pitch.

His 2024/25 Premier League touch map underlines just how involved he is in both halves of the field.
Offensively, Cucurella has contributed 13 goals across all competitions since 2019/20, alongside 266 dribbles attempted and 597 instances of making 10 or more progressive carries in a match.

His distribution in the final third has steadily improved, regularly exceeding 80% pass completion. Of the 1,316 passes he has made in advanced areas, 722 were crosses. Overall, he has attempted 10,995 passes since 2019/20, completing 9,137, with peaks as high as 93.3% accuracy—one of many reasons Spain coach Luis de la Fuente values him so highly.
Do Atlético Really Need Cucurella?

From Atlético Madrid’s perspective, the left-back position is not entirely unoccupied. The club recently signed Matteo Ruggeri and still have Javi Galán on their books. Cucurella would undoubtedly raise the level of competition, but his arrival would force at least one of the current options to consider their future.
Whether Chelsea would entertain a €40 million offer—and whether Cucurella feels a return to Spain is the right move—are questions that remain unanswered. But given his qualities, it’s no surprise Atlético Madrid are watching closely.