Cucurella: I didn't expect Chelsea exit but signing for Real Madrid is the bigger step I needed

Updated: 18 Jun 2026 23:57 BST | 4 min read

Marc Cucurella, Chelsea, Real Madrid — © IMAGO

Suraj Radia | Editor

Marc Cucurella has insisted he has ‘no doubts’ over leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid and believes the move was the ‘big step he needed to take’.

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Cucurella completed a rapid €60 million move to Madrid this week, with a deal being closed less than 24 hours after reports of the club’s interest broke.

Current ETV

Marc Cucurella

D (L)

Chelsea

Marc Cucurella

D (L)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€41.3M - €50.5M

The 27-year-old’s future had been in doubt after a turbulent season at Stamford Bridge but, despite interest from teams such as Atletico Madrid and boyhood club Barcelona, Cucurella admitted he hadn’t initially expected to leave Chelsea this summer.

"If you'd asked me a few months ago, I'd have said I didn't expect to leave Chelsea," Cucurella said in a news conference on Thursday. "But in football sometimes you need to change. Sometimes you start new chapters that you don't expect.

"It's not easy leaving Chelsea. But I think the step that I take now to Real Madrid is bigger. Real Madrid are one of the best clubs in the world, it's a step I needed to take."

Cucurella also commented on the criticism he received for his Barcelona roots, saying: "You have to respect people's opinions. I'm very grateful for everything that the Barcelona academy gave me. But like everything in life, it's about stages.

“I thought this was the right decision to take. When a team like Madrid come to you, it's very hard to turn down. I had no doubt it was the right step."

Cucurella secures Real Madrid move after Chelsea tensions grew

Cucurella established himself as a key player for Chelsea after joining the club from Brighton in 2022 for €65m but doubts had begin to grow over his future in recent months.

© IMAGO - Marc Cucurella with Enzo Fernandez.

The Spanish international gave an interview in March where he questioned the club’s owners and decision making, while he had also been pictured in Madrid with Enzo Fernandez and speaking candidly about one day leaving Chelsea.

Cucurella eventually walked back his comments but the damage appeared to be irreversible even with the left-back holding positive talks with incoming manager Xabi Alonso just days before joining Real Madrid.

Atletico Madrid felt as though they were the frontrunners for Cucurella’s signature but Real moved quickly, with manager Jose Mourinho desperate to sign the Chelsea man as his new left-back.

"We had the chance to talk, [Mourinho] called me," Cucurella said. "I was happy that a coach like that calls you, and wants to work with you. It gives you confidence.”

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