Xabi Alonso is not yet officially working in his capacity as the new Chelsea manager — his start date is only July 1 — but he’s reportedly visited Cobham to check out his new digs already. And he’s also had a few chats with a few players as well, among them Marc Cucurella, who’s been increasingly linked with an exit this summer. (Atlético Madrid are the latest to feature in rumors along such lines, with the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City also mentioned recently.)
For what it’s worth, Cucurella
has confirmed that he has spoken with Alonso, and that it was a good chat. Now, weather that chat was good enough to stay coupled up at the next firepit recoupling … well, you never know what might happen next time on Love Island CFC.
“Yes [I’m attracted to Xabi Alonso’s project]. I’ve spoken with him and he inspired a lot of confidence in me. I’ve also spoken with Grimaldo and Borja, who have worked with him, and they spoke very highly of him. The project seems very interesting.”
-Marc Cucurella; source: Marca
So that’s mostly a standard answer, though the part about Álex Grimaldo and Borja Iglesias is an unnecessary detail and it may show that Cucu is in fact considering the option to stay — contrary to the narrative that’s building. Or maybe he was just feeling chatty. (Grimaldo had great success under Xabi at Leverkusen, so Cucurella may find that extra relevant as a fellow left back.)
