Benjamin Mendy being suspended and Oleksandr Zinchenko being sold forced Manchester City to sign a natural left-back ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Pep Guardiola wanted Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion, but City wouldn’t match his £50m asking price.
The 24-year-old ended up joining Chelsea over the summer, but Guardiola might feel he dodged a bullet after seeing how much he’s struggled at Stamford Bridge. Cucurella had a torrid time in City’s 1-0 win against Chelsea and was culpable for the goal scored.
The Spanish international, who has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, was beaten to a cross by Riyad Mahrez who slotted home from close range. Cucurella was taken on numerous times too, so Guardiola’s failure to land his signature could be a blessing in disguise.
Cucurella is 2nd in the Chelsea squad for being dribbled past the most (14), 13th for interceptions (0.6 per game), 13th for chances created (0.4 per game) and 13th for successful dribbles (0.3 per game). He is third for accurate crosses (0.8 per game) and second for crosses blocked (0.4 per game) in the Premier League, however, so he hasn’t been all bad in West London.
That being said, Chelsea probably regret paying £60m for Cucurella more than City regret not being able to sign him.
In other news, Pep Guardiola has decision to make on Bernardo Silva after ‘fulfil my dream’ claim
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