Gary Neville has questioned Chelsea’s decision to sign Brighton defender Mark Cucurella, claiming he was “shocked” by the “surprising” transfer.
Chelsea confirmed on Friday that they had signed Spanish defender Cucurella for a value of more than £60m.
Cucurella signed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge, making it Thomas Tuchel’s fourth summer deal.
The 24-year-old, who made 38 appearances in his only season with Brighton, joined Manchester City in the early summer but Chelsea made moves to bolster Tuchel’s defence.
Neville was impressed with Kukurella’s growth on the south coast, but admits he was “surprised” by the Chelsea deal.
“He overwhelmed us today,” the former Manchester United and England defender told Sky Sports.
“It’s an unbelievable amount and they’ve already put Ben Chilwell in that position. It’s a massive transfer that’s been done. This is a [summer deal] It stands out for me.
“When you see him in a Chelsea shirt… will he grow up and prove he’s worth the money?”
Cucurella has quickly established himself as one of Brighton’s most consistent players since joining from Getafe last year.
But he was ready to leave Brighton this summer to play in the Champions League and fight for a major title.
Speaking after his move to Chelsea, Cucurella said: Joining one of the best clubs in the world is a great opportunity for me. I want to work hard to be happy here and help the team.”
Meanwhile, new Chelsea owner Todd Boell has said he is “delighted” to welcome Cucurella to Stamford Bridge.
“Mark is an elite defender of proven quality in the Premier League,” said the American businessman.
We continue to work on and off the pitch and are delighted that Mark will be part of Chelsea now and in the future.
Chelsea, who finished third in the Premier League last season, will face Frank Lampard’s Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday in the 2022-23 season.
For more stories like this, visit our sports page .
Follow us for the latest news
Facebook, twitter and Instagram .
Source: Metro
Chad-98Weaver, a distinguished author at NewsBulletin247, excels in the craft of article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for storytelling, Chad delivers informative and engaging content that resonates with readers across various subjects. His contributions are a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field of journalism.
