Chelsea stand firm with La Liga giants chasing defender

Chelsea simply have to avoid a catastrophic defeat against Djurgarden on Thursday to reach the final of the Europa Conference League. 

Enzo Maresca’s side cruised to a 4-1 win over their Swedish opponents in the first leg last week, and the Blues are therefore overwhelming favourites to progress to the showpiece in Wroclaw later this month.

Former Leicester City boss Maresca is likely to heavily rotate his side for the visit of Djurgarden to Stamford Bridge, likely giving a rest to some of the player involved in their 3-1 win against Premier League champions Liverpool last time out.

One player that could drop to the bench is full-back Marc Cucurella, but it appears that the Spaniard is attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

According to TBR Football, Chelsea have no intention of allowing left-back Cucurella to depart the club this summer.

Cucurella has been one of Chelsea’s most impressive performers so far this season

The 26-year-old is said to have attracted interest from both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but the Blues are reluctant to allow him to leave and the player himself is said to be happy in London.

Cucurella joined Chelsea from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2022 and enjoyed a difficult debut season at Stamford Bridge.

The Spaniard showed some improvement last term, and has been in fine form for Maresca’s side this season.

In total he has now played 102 times for the West London outfit across all competitions, including 43 appearances during the current campaign.

Cucurella, formerly of Getafe and Brighton, has usurped Ben Chilwell as the Blues’ first choice left-back.

The Spain international’s contract with the Blues is set to run until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, and it appears that the Premier League giants have no interest in the idea of selling him this summer.