Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent has cast doubt over Marc Cucurella’s place in the Chelsea team should the Brighton full-back complete a £ 50 million move to Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard has reportedly agreed on personal terms with the Blues, who are set to pay the fee Manchester City quoted but walked away from.
Talks moved quickly after Pep Guardiola’s side abandoned a potential move for Cucurella, and Chelsea swiftly agreed on personal terms for the 24-year-old. The transfer fee is still to be discussed, but reports have claimed that Chelsea is prepared to pay £50m for the man Bent doesn’t believe makes their starting lineup when everyone is fit.
I like Cucurella,” Bent told talkSPORT. “I think he’s a very good player as we advance. In his first season at Brighton last season, I thought he was brilliant, he got forward, caused problems, got a nice left foot, good distribution, good energy, and he can defend.
“He will be a good signing. I’m not calling him a squad player at Chelsea but I think if everyone is fit, he doesn’t start. You’re talking about a team that’s competing at the very highest [level]. Chelsea are in the Champions League.”
When asked about Cucurella playing more of a squad role, Bent replied: “Yeah, to Ben Chilwell. At City he still wasn’t going to play ahead of [Joao] Cancelo. So he would have been in the same boat.”
While Cucurella could provide competition for Chilwell at left wing-back, he could start the season in that role as the England international is eased back from the ACL injury he suffered in November. The Spanish defender also played at center-back on several occasions under Graham Potter and could be used in a similar role in Thomas Tuchel’s back three when Chilwell is fully fit.
