Like all cult heroes, Marc Cucurella has a unique character and an interesting backstory. He was massively unpopular at Chelsea early on because of the enormous fee that was paid to bring him in – and the pretty shocking performances that followed in his first season.
But he’s got better and better in his time at the club, and has really earned the affections of the fans too. His distinctive hair is just the start – he’s got an infectious personality and is clearly a vital “glue guy” in the dressing room.
Enzo Maresca is a very different character – much more precise and gruff compared to the affable Cucurella. But Maresca’s complimentary words about the full back make it very clear what he thinks about him:
“Marc Cucurella has something you sometimes struggle to find in other players”. “He’s very important. He is making the players around him better!”. “If you have five, six or seven players like Marc in a team… trust me, it is very important,” the Chelsea manager said in a press conference not long ago.
Cult hero responds to his manager’s praise
When those statements were put to Cucurella last night on Spanish radio, he gave his own very distinctive response:
“[Maresca’s] explanation is very accurate because nowadays statistics are calculated a lot and I am not one of the top players,” the former Brighton full back admitted.
“I am a team player, I help my teammates, I make the team work, I give that extra if the team is asleep and I give intensity that infects my teammates. He explained it quite well.”
Both Maresca and Cucurella are quickly winning over fans and turning into an unlikely pair of new favourites at Stamford Bridge – and we love to see it.
