UMVA has learned that Ashley Cole, the former Chelsea defender, has issued a passionate plea to Xabi Alonso to persuade Marc Cucurella to stay at Stamford Bridge, despite reports suggesting the left-back has handed in a transfer request.
Cucurella's potential departure has sparked interest from top clubs like Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and several Premier League teams, but Cole believes Chelsea should do everything in their power to keep him. The legendary defender, who made a similar move from Arsenal to Chelsea, understands the pressure and expectation that comes with joining a top club.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Cole has expressed his admiration for Cucurella's skills, stating that he's a "top performer" who can help drive Chelsea forward. Cole's concerns are echoed by fellow former Chelsea star Joe Cole, who thinks Alonso should prioritize keeping Cucurella and potentially offloading other players to balance the books.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Chelsea's squad dynamics have been impacted by a disappointing season, which saw them slump to a 10th-place finish and fail to qualify for European football. With Alonso set to take over in July, Cole believes it's essential to retain key players like Cucurella to build a competitive squad.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Chelsea's transfer strategy has been impacted by their financial situation, with the club reportedly willing to demand a significant fee of between 40m and 50m euros (£35m and £43m) if Cucurella's departure becomes inevitable. Cole, however, thinks Alonso should focus on keeping top talent rather than selling them to make a profit.
The situation is further complicated by speculation surrounding Enzo Fernandez's potential departure, with interest from top clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City. Cole thinks Chelsea should prioritize keeping both Cucurella and Fernandez, rather than selling them to make a quick profit.
UMVA has gathered that Chelsea's current ownership has shifted their focus towards making money first, winning trophies second, which has led to concerns about the club's priorities. Cole thinks fans are aware of the situation and will be eager to see Alonso's plans unfold.
