Loaned out from Barcelona this summer with just one Copa del Rey appearance under his belt, few expected Marc Cucurella to hit the headlines when he joined La Liga’s Basque minnows, Eibar. Ernesto Valverde decided that he wasn’t up to scratch after two pre-season appearances and didn’t hesitate to loan the 20-year-old out with an option to buy.
This guy isnt quick, hes not strong, in every test that we do with the machines we have, he doesnt even feature. With those stats, youd never sign him, his new coach at Eibar, Jose Luis Mendilibar, explains. But hes very clever, he chooses well, hes a great footballer, thats Marc Cucurella.
Here, our tactical analysis will provide analysis of how the Spaniard has performed on loan at Eibar from Barcelona in La Liga.
Getting the best out of him
A left-back throughout his rise through the Barcelona ranks, he had struggled to breakthrough at times. With fierce competition with Juan Miranda at Barcelona B, he finally nailed down a regular spot in 2017/18 as first choice left-back. However, he knew that the start of this season would be a battle to see who would be the alternative to Jordi Alba. Valverde deployed him in his favourite position against both Tottenham and Roma in the International Champions Cup, but eventually opted to choose Miranda and send Cucurella out on loan.
Once in the Basque Country, it took Cucurella some time to find his way into the team. Initially competing for the left-back role, he did not make his debut until the game against Espanyol on 25th September, again in defence. He made the move to left wing initially as a substitute in October, then getting his first start in that position against Real Valladolid in November.
Since then, he has thrived. Not returning to defence once since the
