Premier League: Cucurella, Guardiola’s great wish

Ya lo avis Khaldoon Al Mubarak. “We have made two very important signings and I can tell you in advance that we will make a couple more. We are looking to strengthen the team in the necessary positions”, confessed the president of Manchester City when taking stock of 2021-22.

Covered the ‘9’ with the additions of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarezthe ‘cityzens’ have launched to reinforce the midfield positions (Rodri is ‘alone’ after the departure of Fernandinho) and Kalvin Phillips (Leeds) could arrive. Meanwhile, on the left side (Cancelo and Zinchenko are perpetual ‘patches’ and bright) are looking for a ‘specialist’ and have set their sights on Marc Cucurella (Alella, Barcelona, ​​1998).

Guardiola wants him and it can cost 40 million euros

Pep has been looking for a left-back since he arrived at the Etihad in 2016. With Benjamin Mendy in jail accused of rape, Zinchenko (media to which Arsenal also intends according to the ‘Daily Express’) and cancel (right-handed ‘full back’) have been successful in that position in recent seasons, especially the Portuguese who came out in the last campaign in the Premier (one goal and seven assists)… changed wings.

However, the ‘cityzen’ coach wants a specific footballer in that demarcation and Cucurella is the desired one. As MARCA has learned, City is following the Spaniard and is preparing an offer to take him to Manchester. An operation that could go up to 40 million euros. Brighton paid 18 ‘kilos’ to Getafe a year ago, signed him until 2026 and is one of his greatest assets. The Premier champion will have to negotiate for the 23-year-old Spanish international. Also, the ‘sky blues’ they are not alone: ​​Chelsea have also sounded out ‘Cucu’. His signing for the Bridge team will ‘liberate’ Marcos Alonso, whom Barcelona wants.

Brighton’s MVP in his first season

Cucurella has come out in his first season in the Premier with Brighton. In the English League, he has played 34 games as a key player for the ‘Seagulls’. “He seems like he’s been here his whole life. He has been very important since he arrived and has spread to his colleagues. He has a great character and personality and on the pitch he brings energy and quality. He grew up in Barcelona and knows how to play football. We are very happy”, confesses a Graham Potter who has gotten a great performance out of it.

Cucurella has been very important since he arrived and he infects his colleagues. He has a great character and personality and in the field he brings energy and quality

Graham Potter, Brighton manager

Adapted to ‘football’, ‘Cucu’ was elected Brighton’s MVP for 2021-22 by the ‘seagulls’ footballers and fans. “It’s incredible, I didn’t think I could do it in my first campaign in the Premier,” seal.

How would he fit in at Manchester City?

Guardiola likes Cucurella’s versatility. At Brighton he has played as a left-back in defense of four and as a left-back in defense of three. He has even been used by Potter as an emergency third center back.. Due to his physical capacity, the former Getafe player covers the entire left wing. He has a good foot to join the attack and center and has taken a step forward defensively in the Premier. Only Alexander-Arnold (51) and James (42) have shared more key passes this season than he (40) among Premier League defenders.

These are qualities that Guardiola likes for a City in which the full-backs are closed and act as midfielders, collaborating in the construction of plays and living in the opposite field. Cucurella, raised in La Masa, can do it.