{"id":4742,"date":"2026-05-06T09:28:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T09:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4742"},"modified":"2026-05-06T09:28:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T09:28:20","slug":"chelsea-are-now-pursuing-a-manager-that-marc-cucurella-absolutely-adores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4742","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea are now pursuing a manager that Marc Cucurella absolutely adores"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Another day, another new manager linked with the Chelsea job. This time, Chelsea have been linked with a manager that Marc Cucurella adores, with the left-back speaking of his admiration in the past.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If Monday\u2019s 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest signalled anything, it is that Chelsea have absolutely got to get their next appointment correct. Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso are high on the list.<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s happened to Marc Cucurella\u2019s one-v-one defending?<\/h3>\n

He was terrorised by Nottingham Forest’s Dilane Bakwa<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Marc Cucurella spoke of his love for Xavi just last season<\/h2>\n

If Chelsea fans didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

He can hardly be blamed, given the mess Chelsea are in, and that it is his boyhood club. On Chelsea\u2019s site in March 2025, Cucurella shared his passion and love for Barcelona\u2019s stars of that era while growing up.<\/p>\n

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On Chelsea\u2019s site, the piece reads: \u2018He 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

La Masia product Cucurella is then quoted in the piece as saying: \u201cIt was one of the best experiences I could\u2019ve had learning there, playing with incredible players. A great experience when you were a kid. <\/p>\n

\u201cI got to learn their philosophy and everything, and I think now I\u2019m here because I played there. I learned so much there,\u201d Cucurella continued. Now, he might be joined by one of those idols he grew up watching.<\/p>\n

Xavi\u2019s career as a manager since retiring in 2019<\/h2>\n

Finishing his career as the second-highest on the list of Barcelona\u2019s most appearances, 11 behind Lionel Messi, Xavi would then go to the Middle East to play for Al Sadd. He became manager after retiring.<\/p>\n

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Predict Chelsea\u2019s final four 2025\/2026 results \ud83d\ude2c<\/h3>\n

Will we win a game?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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