REVEALED: How Chelsea flop has gone from being a target of boo boys to playing a crucial part in their push for Europe... and a key change shows why Pep Guardiola wanted him at Man City

Long aft full-time, erstwhile Stamford Bridge had emptied to time off only nan cleaners successful nan stands, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart emerged from nan passageway afloat of smiles aft 1 of their regular visits to nan Chelsea changing room.

The dual sporting board person logic to dream that their signings are showcasing their worthy successful clip to unafraid European shot – from Noni Madueke to Moises Caicedo to Nicolas Jackson – though they cannot declare in installments for 1 of nan catalysts successful this upturn successful form.

That is Marc Cucurella, nan near backmost now moving into midfield and showing why Pep Guardiola wanted to motion him for Manchester City earlier Chelsea paid Brighton £55million positive £7m.

Cucurella was signed successful August 2022 earlier nan arrivals of Winstanley and Stewart, but nan 25-year-old is successful nan midst of a satisfying redemption arc astatine Stamford Bridge.

His first commencement of nan play was successful nan Carabao Cup against League Two Wimbledon – a 2-1 triumph successful which his sanction was booed while Manchester United were being linked pinch a indebtedness swoop.

Now, he is arsenic valuable arsenic anyone successful Mauricio Pochettino’s precocious push for Europe – 1 of those who would represent a ‘blow’ if he abruptly appeared connected nan club’s unpredictable wounded database aft his contributions to nan 2-0 and 5-0 wins complete Tottenham and West Ham.

When Chelsea are successful possession, Cucurella moves into midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, a manoeuvre which enables Conor Gallagher to push further up nan transportation into nan No 10 position he has grown utilized to occupying. 

Gallagher’s beingness successful move gives Cole Palmer nan licence to roam, usually towards nan right-hand broadside wherever he has been astatine his best.

It is simply a caller tactical tweak from Pochettino, pinch Cucurella having antecedently acted arsenic much of a emblematic wide man erstwhile starting successful nan Premier League.

Insiders opportunity this is simply a move nan head has been considering for immoderate time, moreover practising it successful 11-v-11 training sessions astatine Cobham, but it was astatine half-time successful nan travel to Aston Villa little than 2 weeks agone that Pochettino decided to decently trial it.

In nan first half astatine Villa Park, Cucurella stayed tied to nan left-hand broadside arsenic Chelsea recovered themselves trailing 2-0. In nan 2nd half, Pochettino decided to spell for it, telling his near backmost to play overmuch much cardinal arsenic nan visitors came backmost to tie 2-2.

We person seen Chelsea managers make tactical changes midway done matches previously, astir notably Antonio Conte and his 3-4-3 set-up astatine half-time of a 3-0 nonaccomplishment to Arsenal which yet won them nan Premier League. 

Whether you for illustration him aliases not, Pochettino deserves in installments for this tweak which has fixed nan nine a chance astatine a beardown decorativeness to nan season.

Since that tie astatine Villa, Chelsea person beaten Tottenham, wiped nan level pinch West Ham, and now look a travel to Nottingham Forest this Saturday successful which Cucurella is apt to proceed his inverted forays to partner Caicedo while Enzo Fernandez recovers from surgery.

Cucurella is performing arsenic good arsenic we person seen him successful a Chelsea garment and insiders are delighted for him, 1 saying that he is often cited by team-mates arsenic nan ‘funniest’ successful nan changing room. 

That likability is why those astir him want him to go overmuch much loved by nan club’s outsiders. Continue to execute arsenic impressively arsenic this and he will soon gain that praise.