There was notable surprise in Spain’s squad when Cucurella’s move was confirmed, especially given his background coming through the Barcelona academy before his path led him to Chelsea and then beyond.
Marc Cucurella will regret saying Vinícius Júnior can get away with not defending at Real Madrid
In Madrid, Cucurella is expected to form a left-sided partnership with Vinícius Júnior, who has been in good form for Brazil at the World Cup.
Vinícius has at times faced questions about his defensive work, though Cucurella told Radio Marca that he “doesn’t care” if he doesn’t receive help on that side of the field. He added that he would “do everything he doesn’t want to do” as long as the opponent remains decisive and capable of scoring, paying tribute to Vinícius’ influence in Real Madrid’s Champions League campaigns.
Cucurella’s current form suggests that the demands of a high-profile defensive partnership will be different from earlier periods in his career. He may need added support from teammates to handle the defensive responsibilities that come with playing alongside a forward of Vinícius Júnior’s ilk.
In recent seasons, Cucurella’s defensive numbers have not been as strong as in his earlier years. He was dribbled past 22 times in the 2025/26 Premier League season, a figure that places him among the lower end of players in his position.
During World Cup play, even against relatively modest opposition, Cucurella has faced challenges: his dribbling and defensive engagement have been tested, with more dribbles completed against him than tackles or interceptions won in certain fixtures.
Cucurella also accumulated 37 fouls in league play, a tally that places him in a difficult percentile for his role, alongside eight yellow cards and a sending-off. The lack of a consistently defensive winger in his setup could compound such issues.
In terms of durability, Chelsea’s scouting and medical staff had growth concerns about muscle injuries becoming more frequent as he ages. He sustained two hamstring injuries in the previous season, and such concerns often recur with advancing years.
Facing players like Vinícius Júnior or Kylian Mbappé, Cucurella will likely receive limited defensive support at Real Madrid, and the decision to take on that challenge without a robust plan for defensive cover could prove costly.
Overall, Cucurella’s transition to Real Madrid will demand sustained defensive effort from him, paired with the right support from teammates. The coming months will reveal how well he adapts to the higher defensive expectations that come with one of the sport’s most prominent clubs. If he can balance his attacking instincts with improved balance and consistency in defense, he could still play a crucial role for his new team.
