Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that recent Manchester United target Marc Cucurella missed Chelsea’s draw with Bournemouth due to illness.
We now know that United ended up signing Sergio Reguilon on loan from Tottenham Hotspur to ease Erik ten Hag’s left back concerns.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are both out injured right now and United needed some short-term cover.
Reguilon has arrived and impressed against Brighton and Hove Albion, but it could have been a different Spanish, London-based left back coming in.
United targeted a deal for Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella but ended up walking away from him in order to sign Reguilon.
Manchester United were concerned over Marc Cucurella deal
Chelsea were seemingly keen to let Cucurella go just over a year since agreeing a deal worth up to £63million to sign him from Brighton.
The Spaniard really struggled to find his best form last season but United were seemingly keen to try and get him back on track.
Spanish newspaper Marca suggested that United were close to a deal but things became complicated when Cucurella played for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
The Blues used Cucurella against AFC Wimbledon and that left United with concerns about the deal.
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Not only did that appearance make Cucurella cup-tied, but it also would have complicated a January return given that he wouldn’t have been able to move on to a third club.
United backed away and recent reports have suggested that Cucurella could be axed having missed out on his move to Old Trafford…
Mauricio Pochettino comments won’t slow down Marc Cucurella axe claims
Chelsea faced Bournemouth on Sunday and Cucurella wasn’t included in the Blues squad.
This came just days after the London Evening Standard reported that Cucurella was facing being axed from the Chelsea side with Mauricio Pochettino having no plans for him.
Cucurella’s exclusion on Sunday left tongues wagging and Pochettino’s explanation may not calm the rumours.
Pochettino suggested that Cucurella missed out due to an illness having come down with a fever.
Whilst that is seemingly true, Cucurella seemingly faces a difficult path between now and January.
Levi Colwill has been lining up as Chelsea’s left back with Ben Chilwell further ahead, but he can play at left back too.
Add in Ian Maatsen and Cucurella may end up being Chelsea’s fourth-choice left back until the January window re-opens.
We can’t see United going back in for Cucurella now, but the former Barcelona man must be absolutely cursing missing out on that move to Old Trafford.