Chelsea co-owner reveals Manchester City decision that led to Marc Cucurella transfer | OneFootball

Co-owner of Chelsea Todd Boehly has suggested Manchester City interest in Marc Cucurella pushed him to pursue the signing of Marc Cucurella from Brighton in 2022.  

Boehly, who led the consortium that purchased Chelsea from the controversial Roman Abramovich alongside Clearlake Capital, has helped the Blues experience UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup success since buying into the side. 

The Premier League club have been a progressive force since Boehly’s induction and have not faltered in their bid for further achievement. In fact, after finishing 12th in the 2022/23 season – their lowest finish since 1994 – Chelsea’s league position has improved year-on-year.

Although there has been frequent change to coaching staff with Liam Rosenior recently replacing Enzo Maresca, Chelsea find themselves pushing for Champions League football once again – currently sixth in the Premier League table, and six points from the top four. 

When Boehly arrived at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea were still competitive on the pitch but were effectively frozen from a commercial standpoint given strict UK government sanctions, sponsorship withdrawals and financial losses.

However, following the takeover, Chelsea made major signings which have shaped their recent success. The likes of Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling, and Kalidou Koulibaly all joined in 2022 for over £150 million. 

In addition, Marc Cucurella joined from Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2022 but Todd Boehly – who acted as a sporting director when he first joined – used interest from Manchester City as a general guide to impressive talent. 

Speaking at a panel session for iConnections, Boehly said, “Having taken over in the circumstances that we did, basically the whole management team left.

“I was stuck being interim Sporting Director for a summer, having no idea what made a good football player.

“But knowing that Marc Cucurella, if Man City wanted him, I want him. It was really simple that way.”

Although Chelsea beat Manchester City to the deal for Cucurella, the clubs have often acquiesced in business across recent decades, with the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Sterling, Wayne Bridge and Shaun Wright-Phillips moving between the clubs.

Perhaps the most eye-catching move came in 2023 when Cole Palmer, who had previously played for Manchester City since he was eight, departed the Etihad Stadium for Chelsea in a remarkable transfer that shocked many. 

Indeed, Palmer has become one of the best attacking midfielders the Premier League has seen in past seasons and undoubtedly made Pep Guardiola regret his decision to let the now 23-year-old leave. 

Yet, after reinforcing his attack in recent seasons with the likes of Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo and Tijjani Reijnders, a seventh Premier League title could be up for grabs depending on how league leaders Arsenal perform in the final 10 games of the season.