‘They’re going after me’ – Chelsea star says he’s being targeted in Premier League | Football
Chelsea star Marc Cucurella says opposition fans and players in the Premier League are ‘going after’ him as they are still ‘hurting’ following Spain’s Euro 2024 final victory over England.
The 26-year-old full-back endured a difficult start to life at Chelsea on the back of a high-profile £55million transfer move from Brighton in 2022.
But Luis de la Fuente selected Cucurella in his Spain squad for this summer’s European Championship and the defender played an integral role as La Roja got their hands on the trophy for a fourth time in their history.
Cucurella assisted Mikel Oyarzabal’s late winner against Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions in the final and was subsequently named in the official Team of the Tournament for his exceptional contribution in Germany.
This season, it appears as if the success has rubbed off on Cucurella, with the Spaniard continuing his strong form in a Chelsea shirt and starting all seven of the club’s matches in the English top flight.
However, the left-back will be suspended for Chelsea’s next match against Liverpool after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign in the side’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Asked if he had experienced much of a change in the months that have followed Spain’s triumph, Cucurella told COPE: ‘You have more impact, people know you more.
‘Being a European champion is historic and you will always take that with you.’
Pressed on whether he had noticed a difference in the Premier League, Cucurella replied: ‘Well, I’ve already been suspended for five yellow cards and I’ve committed a few fouls; they’re going after me a bit.
‘They jump on me quickly, especially when we play away from home.
‘It’s normal, we won, I was involved in the goal, I’m playing at their home… it’s normal, they’re hurt.’
Chelsea head coach Maresca recently made a point of praising Cucurella’s influence in the dressing room and the defender was pleased with his manager’s comments given he sees himself as a ‘team player’.
‘I am a team player, I help my team-mates and I help make the team work,’ he added.
‘I give that little bit extra if the team is asleep and I give intensity that infects my team-mates. He explained it quite well.’
Cucurella is thankful for the short time he spent under Mauricio Pochettino and believes the Argentine was partly responsible for him arriving at the Euros in ‘perfect shape’.
Asked what influence Pochettino has had on his career, he responded: ‘A lot.
‘I started out not playing and then I started playing a lot but I got injured and had surgery.
‘Then everything went smoothly until the end.
‘He and the staff helped me a lot to know that work is going to help you. They really liked working with me and when I got into their rhythm and style, it was great.
‘I arrived at the Euros in perfect shape.’