{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Sources: Cucurella turns his Chelsea career around after winning Pochettino over
Defender Marc Cucurella now features prominently in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans after turning his Chelsea career around, sources have told Football Insider.
The 25-year-old came close to leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window.
But Cucurella has since won Pochettino around and has earned a major role in the Chelsea defence.
The ex-Brighton defender has even played in an unfamiliar right-back role for the Blues amid injury to Reece James.
Ben Chilwell is also out of action on the left side of the Chelsea defence, allowing Cucurella to stake his claim for a full-time role.
The one-cap Spain international has made nine appearances across all competitions this season.
He only joined Chelsea from Brighton last summer (2022) for a reported fee of more than £60million.
Cucurella made 33 appearances across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign, which proved a tumultuous season for the Blues.
He is under contract at Stamford Bridge until June 2028 and earns a reported wage of £175,000-a-week.
Chilwell suffered a hamstring injury in the League Cup against Brighton in September and has been sidelined ever since.
It has been widely reported that the England international will be out of action until December.
Chelsea, who are not involved in European competition this season, sit 10th in the Premier League.
The Blues have lost just one of their last five league games and are next in action against Newcastle on Saturday (25 November).
In other news, Chelsea set sights on striker as they look to use inside knowledge to secure deal.