Brighton fans can collectively breathe a sigh of relief they finally have competition for Solly March at left wing-back. His injury in February was a huge headache for manager Graham Potter, with Dan Burn, Jakub Moder, and natural centre-forward Andi Zeqiri all slotting in to cover. In their 2-0 defeat to Everton, Moder started there, but Joël Veltman eventually replaced him. The Dutchman looked an unnatural fit. The sooner Marc Cucurella Brighton’s deadline day Spanish international signing can get up to speed, the better for Brighton and Potter.
In this tactical analysis, we will complete a scout report on the player, looking at his pros and cons, how he will adjust to Premier League football, and where he slots in at Brighton.
Player profile
Born in Allela, Barcelona, Catalonia, Cucrella started his football journey by playing futsal for local club FS Allela, before joining RCD Espanyol’s youth setup in 2006. In 2012, he made the move to Barcelona, settling into La Masia academy aged 14. He eventually made his pro debut via Barcelona B in 2016, in the Segunda Division B, and he would help them earn promotion that same season. A year later, he would make his first-team debut replacing Lucas Digne in a Copa Del Rey away win against Real Murcia.
He would eventually spend the 18/19 season on loan with Eibar, with whom he would make 31 league appearances, and thanks to a €2m buyout clause, come the end of the campaign, they would make him a permanent player. For sixteen days. Barcelona then exercised their own €4m buyback clause, only to loan him out to Getafe two days later with the incoming season approaching ever faster. Included in this deal was a €6m option to buy, with 40% of Cucurella’s right remaining with Barcelona, which would later be triggered and completed. Now, a year later, he is making way for another transfer, this time to the Premier League with Brighton.
Standing at 5’8” / 175cm, Cucurella has played football as both an auxiliary winger and as a traditional left wing-back in back five/three formations. In seasons gone by, he has had success going forwards as more of a creative wide player, but in the 20/21 campaign, he demonstrated much more defensive nous than attacking fervour. He is a fantastic athlete who can run up and down the flank for an entire ninety minutes, suitable for a team such as Brighton who like to progress the ball down these areas.
Marc Cucrella’s player profile, based on 20/21 data.
Dogged defending under José Bordalás
Getafe under José Bordalás have earned plenty of plaudits for their clear tactical approach and disciplined defensive displays, and as of Cucurella’s arrival, they had just finished 5th in the league, above the likes of Real Sociedad, Valencia, and Athletic Club. In his first season with the club, Getafe would manage 8th, followed by a 15th placed finish last year. Although Getafe’s overall performance was weakened, Cucurella’s defensive aspects continued to improve.
