Real Madrid have triggered a seismic shift in Chelsea's already unsettled defence, announcing the £51.8m signing of Marc Cucurella on a six-year deal — a move that has left Chelsea captain Reece James “devastated”.
The 27-year-old Spain left-back, currently at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, will leave Stamford Bridge after an agreement worth £47.5m plus £4.3m in add-ons was struck on Sunday and made public on Monday. Cucurella, who joined Chelsea for £63m from Brighton in 2022, had three years left on his contract despite agreeing improved terms without an extension last season, a factor Chelsea's hierarchy is likely to have weighed when accepting the offer.
“Reece James says he is 'devastated' after Marc Cucurella completes £51.8m move to Real Madrid.”
“I spoke with him a few days ago. He's obviously an amazing player, one of the best left-backs in the world,” James told talkSPORT. “This is his football, you know, players move every few months, and I'm devastated to see him go, but I wish him all the best.”
Cucurella had been keen to return to Spain, having come through Barcelona's academy, and had been linked with Atletico Madrid and a move back to Barcelona. His departure comes after a turbulent season at Chelsea: he gave an interview during the March international break criticising the club's hierarchy following Enzo Maresca's mid-season departure, and was part of a core group of Spanish-speaking players frustrated by the situation under Maresca's successor, Liam Rosenior. Rosenior was eventually sacked, with Chelsea finishing 10th and failing to qualify for Europe despite the temporary appointment of Calum McFarlane as caretaker manager.
Now former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has been appointed as Chelsea's manager for the 2026-27 campaign. James revealed he has already spoken to Alonso on the phone. “Everyone I've spoken to about him says he's an amazing, amazing manager. I know him more from his playing career. He had an amazing career, and now I'm excited to welcome him,” James said, adding that it felt similar to when Frank Lampard, one of his childhood idols, became his manager.
For now, James is fully focused on England's World Cup campaign under Thomas Tuchel, who he praised as ticking “both boxes” as a manager and man-manager. But the void left by Cucurella — described by James as “one of the best left-backs in the world” — will be felt at Stamford Bridge as the club tries to rebuild under Alonso.