Chelsea’s dressing room is ‘difficult’ for Enzo Maresca’s bloated squad after £1bn spending spree and big departures, admits Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella admitted Chelsea’s dressing room is “difficult” for players after a summer of relentless spending and the departure of a number of big names.
A total of 11 new signings were made during the transfer window, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher allowed to leave, with the former being sent on loan to Arsenal, continuing the staff changes under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Since the club’s high-profile takeover in May 2022, more than £1 billion has been invested in new players, while several managers have also come and gone.
However, head coach Enzo Maresca still has too large a squad to choose from this season and some players have been forced to train outside the main group of around 28 players.
Cucurella, who is currently an international player for Euro 2024 winners Spain, showed how difficult it is to build morale in a context of constant change and refinement.
Chelsea’s high spending and major departures are putting a heavy burden on their squad, according to Marc Cucurella
Enzo Maresca has a bloated squad to choose from, with over £1billion spent under the regime
“It’s true that it’s difficult, here (with Spain) everything is much easier to create a good atmosphere,” the defender said EFE.
‘At Chelsea I try, but it is a time of change with many players leaving and others coming in. I try to do my best.
‘One of the keys to success at the European Championship was the good group we had.
‘In these kinds of tournaments you are together all day, you have to put up with each other and if we didn’t get along it would have been complicated.
‘That’s what I try to do, it comes naturally to me to create a good environment.’
Cucurella has also pleaded with the hierarchy to be patient with Maresca, the fifth coach under the regime, and believes that ‘calmness’ can guarantee success.
“I’m happy. We have a very good coach, he has very clear ideas,” he added.
Cucurella admitted that building morale has been difficult against a backdrop of change and cutbacks
The defender has also asked for patience with Maresca, the fifth head coach in the hierarchy.
‘We are coming from a period where we have changed coaches for years. Let’s see if we can create stability without too many changes and if the coach can convey his ideas.
‘We need stability, we have top-level players and I hope we can have the necessary patience and calm so that everything goes well.
‘We have the level, we just need stability and we want to give the coaches and players the chance to do something important.’