Cucurella is the new star of the Premier League. Why do the big clubs want him?

Marc Cucurella – a Barcelona graduate, but only spent 7 minutes for the main team. I understood that there were very few opportunities to break through, so I was looking for options to practice.

La Masia produced another generation of talent but they were passed over by the senior squad when Bartomeu was in charge. It’s significant that instead of Cucurella, they bought Junior Firpo from Betis for €18m. And Cucurella moved to Getafe for 11.8 million and by then he was already having a great season with Eibar, but that didn’t convince the management to keep the pupil.

In Spain, they ironically keep statistics on former Barca players who played for the Spanish national team after leaving the Catalan club. Among them, Hector Bellerin, Dani Olmo, Adama Traoré, Thiago Alcantara, Eric Garcia and now Marc Cucurella. With his performance at Getafe, he earned a call up from Luis Enrique to the senior team.

When Mark was successful at Getafe, he publicly advised his friends Ricky Puchu and Carlos Alena to follow his example and go to any club where they were given playing time. But at the same time, he stressed that he was very respectful of Barca and would be happy to return if called up.

Cucurella, of course, is disappointed not to have given him a chance, it shows. On the other hand, he built his career very well. The agents agreed with Getafe on a very adequate amount of compensation – 18 million euros (only 1.8 of them went to Barca), so the defender was available for potential buyers. So he ended up in Brighton.

“He had a fantastic upbringing in the Barcelona youth teams and managed to make a real impression in La Liga and the national team. Mark is a versatile player, he will add competition to the squad,” replied the head coach Graham Potter to the newcomer.

Cucurella only spent one season at Brighton, and during that time he managed to add a lot of variety in that time. He not only proved all his qualities (speed, stamina, technique, passing culture) at Premier League level and played an important role in Brighton’s spaceflight to 9th place, but also mastered the position of defender central. .

He lacks power, 175cm is a very modest height for a central defender, but his qualities are well realized at the start of attacks. More tenacity in selection and speed, which helps reduce the chances of playing a high block. He can also play a pure winger.

At 23, Mark has become a very high quality footballer, the interest of the giants is quite logical. Admittedly, the next club is already known almost certainly. It will be Manchester City.

Guardiola needs a new left-back after Benjamin Mendy’s transfer to… prison. Judging by insiders, the club are also considering parting ways with Oleksandr Zinchenko and have already offered him to Everton and Newcastle. Cucurella will cost City around €35-40m but he’s definitely worth it.

For Mark, moving to City is a very cool transfer: a top club, adequate competition, working with Guardiola, who is able to continue his progress. In the context of this option, the interest of Chelsea and others does not seem competitive. Even the option of returning to his native Barca isn’t so appealing now.

“I think I’m going to stay in the Premier League. The football here is fantastic, the fans are really loud, the atmosphere is amazing. I think it’s one of the best leagues in the world. Staying in one of the better leagues will be better for me, Cucurella said in May.

City’s other potential signing is Leeds midfielder Calvin Phillips, who performed well at the Euros last summer and has been stable at his club for several seasons and should replace Fernandinho.

If these two transfers are closed, then, given Haaland, the summer 2022 transfer can be considered ideal for City. Punctually and for an adequate budget, they will strengthen all sagging positions at the expense of players with excellent room for growth.