Chelsea are now pursuing a manager that Marc Cucurella absolutely adores

What’s happened to Marc Cucurella’s one-v-one defending?

He was terrorised by Nottingham Forest’s Dilane Bakwa

But plenty of others have been linked, too. Oliver Glasner and Niko Kovac are also considered as options, while some reports in Italy even suggest the far-fetched idea of Antonio Conte returning to West London.

Now, another new name. Barcelona and Spain legend Xavi is supposedly among the contenders to take over at Stamford Bridge, with Xavi said to be interested in replacing Calum McFarlane in the summer.

Marc Cucurella spoke of his love for Xavi just last season

If Chelsea fans didn’t know Cucurella came through the La Masia academy as a kid, they will do so now after his comments during the international break. Cucurella made it clear he would like to go back.

He can hardly be blamed, given the mess Chelsea are in, and that it is his boyhood club. On Chelsea’s site in March 2025, Cucurella shared his passion and love for Barcelona’s stars of that era while growing up.

On Chelsea’s site, the piece reads: ‘He grew up watching defensive giants like Carles Puyol and attacking experts like Xavi. It provided him with an up-close footballing education that others could only dream of.’

La Masia product Cucurella is then quoted in the piece as saying: “It was one of the best experiences I could’ve had learning there, playing with incredible players. A great experience when you were a kid.

“I got to learn their philosophy and everything, and I think now I’m here because I played there. I learned so much there,” Cucurella continued. Now, he might be joined by one of those idols he grew up watching.

Xavi’s career as a manager since retiring in 2019

Finishing his career as the second-highest on the list of Barcelona’s most appearances, 11 behind Lionel Messi, Xavi would then go to the Middle East to play for Al Sadd. He became manager after retiring.

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Xavi would go on to manage 102 games as Al Sadd manager, winning 67 games and seven honours including the 2020-21 league title. That form earned him the chance to become Barcelona boss in 2021.

Boasting a win rate of almost 66% at Al Sadd, he joined Barcelona and lasted a further 142 matches as manager with a win rate just shy of 63%. Since leaving the post in 2024, he has been without a job.