Enzo Maresca says Chelsea need “seven players” like Cucurella

Enzo Maresca has emphasized the significance of Marc Cucurella to Chelsea, stating he would welcome “seven players” like the Spain full-back in his team.

Ahead of Chelsea’s weekend clash with Cucurella’s former club, Brighton, Maresca was asked about the 26-year-old’s performances this season.

The Chelsea head coach, who previously managed Leicester City, praised Cucurella’s impact, not only for his individual contributions but also for the way he improves the performances of his teammates.

Since joining Chelsea for £62 million from Brighton in 2022, Cucurella faced challenges during his first year at the club.

However, in 2024, he has come into his own, excelling for both Chelsea and the Spanish national team.

Notably, Cucurella played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, and he appears to have carried that form into the current season under Maresca.

Cucurella is expected to start for Chelsea, who currently sit fifth in the Premier League, when they host Brighton on Saturday.

Following that, Chelsea will face Belgian side Gent in the Europa Conference League next Thursday.

He told reporters on Friday: “Marc [Cucurella] is very important.

“Marc has something that you sometimes struggle to find in players.

“He is good and he is making the players around him good because he is a guy who is always talking, always demanding.

“If you can have five, six or seven players like Marc in your team, who are always talking about improving the rest, it’s very important.

“So I’m very happy with Marc.”

Maresca added: “It’s [keeping clean sheets] important because if we don’t concede it means we have more chance to win in case you score.

“It’s also important the feeling we have.

“We conceded two goals against Man City, but we didn’t concede many chances – and City are a team that in every game have a big amount of chances and goals.

“Against Wolves, we conceded two goals but in the second half we didn’t concede a shot.

“Defensively we can improve many things, but we are heading in the right direction.

“That doesn’t mean that in every game we’re not going to concede, that isn’t real.

“For sure we will concede, but it’s important we improve the concept between the whole team and that when we talk about the defensive line, we are not only talking about the defensive players.

“I said after West Ham, the best players defending were Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson with how they started the high press which gave us a chance to manage the situation better.

“So it’s about all of the team.”

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