Chelsea’s Cucurella: A Season Without Trophies Would Be Disappointing

LONDON, England – Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella stated that it would be disappointing if the team does not win the UEFA Conference League this season. The team, which has been strong favorites since the competition’s inception, is set to face FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday night.

Head coach Enzo Maresca has strengthened the squad, which topped the group phase with a perfect 100 percent win rate, by including key player Cole Palmer for the knockout stages. Cucurella emphasized the need for the team to believe in their capability to win, saying, “Yes for sure, 100 percent. We are a top club… We need to feel that we can win the competition.”

Since Todd Boehly‘s consortium acquired Chelsea three years ago, the club has not secured any silverware. Cucurella, who transferred from Brighton in 2022, reflected on the club’s struggles, noting that their nearest approach to triumph was losing in the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool and the FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City last season.

<p“It is very important to win a trophy because we can show we are doing things well. Last season, we had two opportunities and we failed. This season, we have another opportunity, and we are ready and hungry to do it,” Cucurella added.

Maresca has confirmed that defenders Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah, who were sidelined with injuries, will be available for selection. Also back in training is midfielder Romeo Lavia, while Wesley Fofana has recovered enough to appear on the bench in Chelsea’s last match against Southampton.

<p“Slowly, slowly, we are getting players back and ready for the final rush of the season,” Maresca commented on the squad's improving health. “Unfortunately, our bad moment started with the amount of injuries but some of them are already back, which is a huge boost for me and for the players,” he added.

Chelsea’s injury struggles have hindered their performance this season, as they currently sit outside the Premier League’s top four. Despite early-season aspirations of a title race, the club faces a considerable deficit of 21 points behind leaders Liverpool.

In light of their current struggles, Cucurella also addressed the pressure surrounding the club’s need to win trophies. “Now we need to do the last step for the last part of the season. I think it’s a good moment to show that we are ready to fight for big things,” he stated. With the match against Copenhagen set for Thursday, Chelsea aims to prove their prowess and compete for their first major trophy in three years.

Later in the week, Chelsea will turn their focus to their Premier League match against Leicester City on Sunday, March 9.