Sky Sports’ Chris Boyd said earlier this month: “If I was Manchester City, Brighton would have given Mark Cucurella whatever they wanted.
‘I think he is better than anyone in the Premier League.
After his bid for Manchester City’s first £30million player was rejected, Cucurella has submitted a transfer request that will test Brighton’s resolve.
Tony Bloom’s excellent running of South Coast clubs gives Brighton some leeway on the situation.
Cucurella only signed a £15m deal from Getafe 12 months ago, but Brighton are now valued at £50m.
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Mark McAdam updates on the latest transfer news including Mark Kukurera, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jesse Lingard.
That’s the way Brighton prefers to operate. Benjamin White was sold to Arsenal for £50m last summer via the Amex Stadium academy.
Yves Bissouma was acquired from Lille for £15m in July 2018 and sold for a £10m profit this summer.
Dan Ashworth may have stepped away from his position as director of football (he’s taking a gardening leave before starting his new role at Newcastle), but Brighton’s foundations are solid.
With four years remaining on Cucurella’s contract, Brighton are well positioned and in no hurry to sell.
City’s decision not to block Oleksandr Zinchenko’s £32m move to Arsenal suggests that Kukurella is willing to move to other targets should the transfer fee not suit all parties. ing.
But this player has all the attributes to be a fan favorite at the Etihad Stadium. The 23-year-old will already be endearing to some supporters after scoring against United in May against Manchester.
It was the full-back’s first goal in the Premier League as he scored above David De Gea and it was clear from his congratulations just how much it meant to him.
Guardiola spent over £225m on full-backs
Bullied by his teammates, Cucurella breaks down in tears at the thought of fulfilling a longtime dream.
He told Sky Sports: “This is a gift to the fans and the team and the season. It’s been hard coming here in the summer, a new league, a new country and a new language.
“This is an exciting time for me and my family. My son was 10 days old when we came. When I changed cities, he traveled with me. I did. It’s very special.”
As Boyd outlined, in the same way that Pablo Zabaleta became a cult hero among City fans, there is something about Cucurella that is contagious.
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Arrow fired by Mark Cucurella in Brighton’s second goal against Manchester United
After three seasons with Barcelona B, he has never played for the first team and his path to becoming Premier League champions is undeniable.
Guardiola left Barcelona as manager in 2012. In the same year, Cucurella joined the club’s famous La Hemasia his academy from Espanyol. A sliding-door moment where the pair never get close to each other.
Born and raised in Catalunya, Cucurella was educated right through Guardiola’s youth system and has contributed thoroughly to raising the bar, but it wasn’t until Éibar, Next was the rental period in Getafe.
His forward energy and tenacity to recover are all hallmarks of a Pep Guardiola player, and his performances at left-back last season were a match for those deployed as City’s full-backs. It is not inferior even if compared.
How Cucurella compares to other City full-backs
It’s no surprise that Guardiola, who has lavished more than £225m on full-backs since joining the club in the summer of 2016, sees Cucurella as an investment worth pursuing.
Last season, City bosses used Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake at left-back whenever Joao Cancelo was on the opposite flank or needed a rest.
It’s certainly a case of square pegs tucked into round holes, and considering how City’s challenger has been beefed up, such a small margin could have a big impact on this season’s title race. There is. They need to go again and focus on their perceived weaknesses.
Guardiola shouldn’t drag out Brighton’s £50m valuation and end up teaming up with Cucurella.
Carla: Left back in question position under Pep
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Brighton have rejected a £30m bid for Mark Cucurella from Manchester City – Jamie Carragher has his opinion.
Jamie Carragher says Man City lacked a ‘outstanding’ left-back during Pep Guardiola’s tenure, but Cucurella could offer healthy competition if he moves to the Etihad. I said yes.
talk sky sports newssaid the former Liverpool defender: “I think Man City have always – really since Pep was there – lacked a really good left-back. It was a position that had different players.
“I know Kyle Walker plays right-back, but I have no idea who’s playing every week. [Joao] Cancelo went there and was really better than everyone else, but I’m sure Pep wants a left-footed player there.
Cucurella was one of Brighton’s best performers
“Since Zinchenko has moved to Arsenal, when you ask ‘Is he worth it?’ Manchester City normally spend £40m to £50m on a full-back. He’s done it in an infamous fashion ever since, and you think he’s worth it.
“When you see him in the Brighton shirt, he looks like a classy operator. He plays a similar type of football to Manchester City in possession, so I’m sure he’ll be a good sign. is doing.
“This is what Manchester City need right now with Zinchenko up front and a little more competition with Cancelo, who can bring competition to Walker on the other side.”
Analysis: Why are Manchester City chasing Cucurella?
Marc Cucurella ranked in the top six in the Premier League for tackles and possession recoveries in the defensive area last season, but he also contributed quite a bit on the pitch.
Sky Sports’ Ron Walker:
“Since the arrest of Benjamin Mendy last summer, Manchester City have run without a natural left-back. Made it his own, PFA Team of the Year by his peers.
“Zinchenko is now on the verge of joining Arsenal. Cancelo has the versatility to play on either side of the defense, but a deeper layer is a natural requirement for the club.
“Cucurella easily adapted to the Premier League.
“He was named Brighton’s Player of the Season for the 2021/22 season, a campaign in which they achieved their best ever league finish.”
Man City match: West Ham’s visit to be broadcast live on Sky Sports
Manchester City will travel to West Ham on Sunday 7 August to begin their Premier League title defense with live coverage on Sky Sports.
The first Manchester derby of the season takes place at the Etihad on 1 October before City head to title rivals Liverpool on 15 October.
The champions’ final game before the season was suspended for the winter World Cup was against Brentford at home on 12 November, and Leeds at Elland Road on Boxing Day when the campaign resumed. increase.
City are off to a tough start to 2023 with tricky back-to-back matches against Chelsea and Manchester United on 2nd and 14th January respectively.
As the campaign draws to a close, Pep Guardiola’s side will reunite with Liverpool at the Etihad on 1 April, host Chelsea on 20 May, and conclude in Brentford on 28 May.
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
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