Scout: Marc Cucurella
Career so far
La Masia is synonymous with producing world class talents, from the likes of Lionel Messi to Sergio Busquets, there has been a surplus of stars that have risen from the depths of the Barcelona academy. However, in recent years youth production has dried up for the Catalonian side, not producing a Barcelona regular since the arrival of pacy left back Jordi Alba. Many players have been deemed insufficient in terms of quality and thus been let go prematurely, alternatively, there is a feeling that breaking into an invariably elite Barcelona team, is a task too arduous for young Spanish footballer’s.
A player that falls into the former category is Marc Cucurella, the full back was let go by Barcelona after a sole senior appearance in 2017–18, transferring to fellow La Liga side, Eibar, on a season long loan with an option for his new club to make the deal permanent. Here the transfer saga he embarked on becomes somewhat puzzling. After obtaining just shy of 2400 minutes in the league and becoming a key member of a second highest league finish for the 2014 Segunda Division champions, Los Armeros, shelled out €1.80 million to make Cucurella their player. However, Barcelona, clearly realising his rise in value, exercised their own €4 million buy-back clause, only to then loan him to Getafe, with a comparatively higher release clause of €6 million. The two time Copa del Rey finalists have since bought Cucurella outright, officially making him a Getafe player.
All this transfer movement should not take away from an impressive albeit short senior career so far. His loan season at Eibar may not have blown many out the water, yet his all-round ability was very much highlighted, his quality defensively and offensively aiding Eibar’s left flank promoting his balanced skill set. Eibar achieved their second highest finish during that season ending the year in 12th place, an impressive stat considering they were just six points of 7th. Cucurella’s performances caught the eye of many clubs, leading Barcelona to swoop in on their youth product and look to make a smart profit on the then 20 year old. As much as his sole season with Eibar earned him a plethora of plaudits from critics and fans alike, it has been the 2019/20 season where the long haired Spaniard has really come to life.
Style of Play
Incubating a position alternation, Cucurella has improved leaps and bounds during his third season as a professional. Under the guidance of defensive genius, José Bordalás, the former Barcelona player has become a formidable left sided midfielder in a rigid 4–4–2 system. Playing just in front of flying fullback Alan Nyom, they have formed an equilibrated partnership with both accentuating their attacking and defensive prowess. Concentrating on Cucurella, four assists ties him top in the Getafe squad, while also boasting the second best average WhoScored rating within Getafe. Looking further into his underlying numbers, the 2018 Copa del Rey winner, ranks second in the club and 25th in the league for key passes per game, concurrently highlighting his dribbling capabilities by being fouled the most times per game (1.8) amongst his peers. This is all particularly striking when pinned up against Getafe’s notoriously weak attack, and Bordalás’ focus on a tight ship.
The defensive side of the full back turned left midfielder has seen a positive improvement, while this is more likely down to Getafe’s aforementioned preoccupation on defensive solidity, there is has been an affirmative progression in Cucurella’s maturity. From the left side of a midfield four, the Spanish U21 international has contributed 3 tackles and interceptions per game while also having added a well-rounded blocking aspect to his skillset. While many parts of his game are aesthetically pleasing, introducing a wide array of tricks and skills to accommodate his time on the ball, the crazy-haired Spaniard is by no means frightened of putting his relatively small frame into challenges, exacerbating his mental ability as well as that of his technical aptitude.
Of course, with any player of such a short senior career there is room for improvement, his obvious one footed nature does inhibit his aura of unpredictability, constantly looking to dribble, pass and shoot with his left foot, a worrying trait that could restrain his offensive development in later years. On the other hand, there is a high probability that this trait was born through his original position of left back, a role where one footedness is far less of an issue. A further facet of his game that needs to additional training is his finishing, while Getafe have been one of the lowest scoring teams in the top 10 this season, 1 goal in the league, with Understat highlighting an XG of 1.46, is slightly worrying, and one would hope for this to proliferate over time. Quick, with an eye for a pass, Cucurella has adapted to his further offensive duties with a sublime level of maturity, and while there are urgent gaps in his game that he must fill, the prospective success is widely available to see.
Future
Cucurella seems to have found his positional home, the far left of a midfield four allows him to accentuate his defensive capabilities and his tenacity to get involved, while also conveying his dribbling prowess. However, how many teams still function with this system? If the former Espanyol youth player continues to soar in value, Getafe will likely look to profit. A Wing back role would definitely suit him, especially with the speed he possess, yet a lack of positional versatility could put off potential suitors. A return to left back in a different side is possible, yet his numbers were inherently average while in that berth at Eibar.
2019/20 has been a breakthrough season for Cucurella and a further year at his current club with similar performances will secure his name as a top Spanish talent. The continuation of European football is key to his expansion, and it is important the next transfer in his career is not a step back.
