Since Mauricio Pochettino’s departure in 2024, Chelsea has undergone significant changes, transforming into a team quite different from the one he managed.
The former Paris Saint-Germain coach was at Stamford Bridge for just one season, leading the team to two cup finals before Enzo Maresca took over.
Pochettino made notable signings in his first summer, including Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Cole Palmer.
He also took charge of a squad that had already seen considerable investment. Key players like Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella had joined before he arrived.
Initially, Cucurella seemed close to leaving Chelsea, with a loan move to Manchester United nearly completed. However, a last-minute shift changed his fate, and he remained with the club.
Since then, Cucurella’s progress has been impressive, earning him recognition as one of the top full-backs in England.
Pochettino discussed Cucurella’s development on the High Performance Podcast, noting how the defender overcame early skepticism and became a key player for the team.
“We fostered an environment where young players, like Malo Gusto from Lyon, excelled. Cucurella started slowly and was even considered for sale but eventually emerged as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Many players, including Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez, and Cole Palmer, also developed during this time,” Pochettino said.
Marc Cucurella proving too valuable to leave out