\n<\/p>\n
The exit of Cucurella from Chelsea<\/a> is a curious one.<\/p>\n Only last season, the Spain international agreed improved financial terms without extending his contract, a deal that was never formally announced by the club.<\/p>\n After winning the European Championship with Spain, along with the Conference League and Club World Cup at Chelsea<\/a>Cucurella appeared to be an integral part of the side under former manager Enzo Maresca.<\/p>\n However, his form dipped under Maresca’s mid-season replacement, Liam Rosenior, and – amid a run of poor results – Cucurella criticised the managerial uncertainty and the running of the club more broadly.<\/p>\n Unlike Fernandez, who made similar comments in March, Cucurella was not formally punished.<\/p>\n Yet, despite saying in recent days that he had spoken to incoming boss Xabi Alonso and liked the idea of playing under him, he has opted to leave for Madrid.<\/p>\n Cucurella was quoted by Marca last week as saying: “Yes, I’m attracted to Xabi Alonso’s project. I’ve spoken with him and he inspired a lot of confidence in me. I’ve also spoken with Grimaldo and Borja, who have worked with him, and they spoke very highly of him. The project seems very interesting.”<\/p>\n Part of his reasoning was a desire to return to Spain, with three children and having spent six years in London, his agency worked alongside Chelsea<\/a> to find a suitable move to one of the big three clubs in his home country. <\/p>\n For Chelsea<\/a>the deal makes financial sense. They finished 10th in the Premier League last season, will lose substantial revenue by missing out on European competition, do not currently have a long-term front-of-shirt sponsor, and remain under scrutiny from Uefa under a settlement agreement after breaching squad cost rules.<\/p>\n Although the club insist they do not need to sell players and will remain compliant, the sale of Cucurella improves their financial position. While it represents a small loss on the \u00a360m paid to sign him from Brighton<\/a> in 2022, due to transfer fees being amortised over the length of his contract, it equates to a profit of around \u00a317.5m in accounting terms.<\/p>\n