Cucurella: It was time for a step up
Marc Cucurella has explained why he pushed for the Real Madrid move. He said he did not expect to leave Chelsea, but sometimes in life you need a change (1). He called Madrid a "bigger" club and framed the transfer as a career step he could not turn down.
No shock for Chelsea fans who followed the saga. The €60m verbal deal was reported earlier this week, and Cucurella had already criticised the club's hierarchy before the exit was finalised.
Reece James torn apart by a Chelsea fan on air
England beat Croatia in their World Cup opener, but Reece James came in for heavy criticism from Rory Jennings, the Chelsea fan and broadcaster (2). Jennings called out something Chelsea supporters rarely see from their captain: a lack of intensity and defensive awareness.
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The detail that stung most was James being caught out positionally, something that has rarely been part of his game at Stamford Bridge.
Leeds want Jorgensen, Chelsea have a call to make
Leeds United are interested in Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen (3). That gives your club a summer decision: keep the Dane as competition, or cash in.
Jorgensen joined with promise but has not yet locked down a starting spot. With no European football next season, the squad is expected to be trimmed. Leeds can offer regular minutes.
Chelsea eye Madrid youngster Valdepeñas
Reports from England claim Chelsea want to sign Real Madrid youth player Valdepeñas this summer (4). The timing is awkward, coming right after the Cucurella deal took the left-back to the Bernabéu.
No name beyond Valdepeñas has surfaced yet, and no fee has been mentioned. It reads like a depth move, possibly for the academy.
Fan-reaktioner
The Cucurella quotes landed poorly. A thread on the Chelsea subreddit picked up steam with fans calling the "bigger club" line disrespectful. More than a few pointed out he was a regular starter and still chose to leave.
