Marc Cucurella has revealed that his time on the sidelines due to an ankle injury played a crucial role in turning his Chelsea career around. The left-back joined Chelsea for £62m in 2022 but struggled to live up to expectations during his first 18 months at Stamford Bridge, facing criticism from social media. However, he showcased his talent during Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and has continued to impress under new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca this season.
Cucurella admitted that the turning point in his career came during a three-month period when he was sidelined with an ankle injury last season. He used this time to reflect and work on himself, seeking help from a mental coach. The injury forced him to confront the criticism he faced and learn how not to let it affect him mentally.
The left-back acknowledged that dealing with off-field incidents also impacted his performance on the pitch. He mentioned incidents such as staying in a hotel for an extended period, issues at his children’s school, and being burgled during the World Cup in Brazil-Serbia. These experiences affected him deeply at the time but have since taught him valuable lessons about resilience.
Cucurella also highlighted the challenges he faced at Chelsea due to frequent changes in coaches and teammates. He mentioned names like Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Mauricio Pochettino, and Enzo Maresca as coaches he worked with during his time at Chelsea. These constant changes made it difficult for him to establish consistency and find his place within the team.
Cucurella’s injury allowed him valuable time for self-reflection and personal growth. It helped him overcome mental hurdles caused by criticism while also teaching him resilience in dealing with off-field challenges. With newfound confidence and stability under Enzo Maresca’s management, Cucurella is determined to make a lasting impact at Chelsea.