How Cucurella has gone from being a target of boo boys to playing a crucial part

Long after full-time, once Stamford Bridge had emptied to leave only the cleaners in the stands, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart emerged from the tunnel full of smiles after one of their regular visits to the Chelsea changing room.

The dual sporting directors have reason to hope that their signings are showcasing their worth in time to secure European football – from Noni Madueke to Moises Caicedo to Nicolas Jackson – though they cannot claim credit for one of the catalysts in this upturn in form.

That is Marc Cucurella, the left back now moving into midfield and showing why Pep Guardiola wanted to sign him for Manchester City before Chelsea paid Brighton £55million plus £7m.

Cucurella was signed in August 2022 before the arrivals of Winstanley and Stewart, but the 25-year-old is in the midst of a satisfying redemption arc at Stamford Bridge.

His first start of the season was in the Carabao Cup against League Two Wimbledon – a 2-1 win in which his name was booed while Manchester United were being linked with a loan swoop.

Now, he is as valuable as anyone in Mauricio Pochettino’s late push for Europe – one of those who would constitute a ‘blow’ if he suddenly appeared on the club’s unpredictable injury list after his contributions to the 2-0 and 5-0 wins over Tottenham and West Ham.

When Chelsea are in possession, Cucurella moves into midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, a manoeuvre which enables Conor Gallagher to push further up the pitch into the No 10 position he has grown used to occupying.

Gallagher’s presence in turn gives Cole Palmer the licence to roam, usually towards the right-hand side where he has been at his best.

It is a new tactical tweak from Pochettino, with Cucurella having previously acted as more of a