Marc Cucurella has already proven his character to Thomas Tuchel amid Chelsea’s £50m bid

Chelsea are said to be pushing for a deal to sign Brighton star Marc Cucurella, who has already proven his character by overcoming doubters.
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Marc Cucurella has already demonstrated the strength of his character amid linked with Chelsea.

The full-back appears to be headed to Stamford Bridge just one year after arriving at Brighton on a deal worth just over £15million.

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Chelsea are now in talks with Brighton over a £50million deal after the Spaniard impressed during his first season in the Premier League.

Cucurella won player of the year at Brighton, with the Seagulls enjoying a stellar campaign and proving to be one of the surprise packages.

The Blues are in the market for defensive reinforcements amid the departures of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, while there is uncertainty surrounding Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.

Crucially, Cucurella can play at full-back, wing-back and as a wide centre-back in a back three system, and that makes him an attractive prospect.

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But it’s not just his performances. Thomas Tuchel looks for strength of character in his signings, and that is one of the traits he has been first to praise in the past.

And there’s no better sign of character than overcoming doubters, something Cucurella has done by his own admission.

“In the end, what I looked for is to play as a full-back, like I have for my whole life,” he told Marca earlier this year.

“The environment in the Premier League is spectacular. The people live for football. My partner came with the children to Brentdord and had to leave early!

Marc Cucurella of Brighton and Hove Albion at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on July 23, 2022 (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)Marc Cucurella of Brighton and Hove Albion at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on July 23, 2022 (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Marc Cucurella of Brighton and Hove Albion at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on July 23, 2022 (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
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“There were people who said I couldn’t play as a full-back because I didn’t know how to defend, but now I am showing I know how to do it, and also as a central defender in a back three.

“I have never played as a left-sided centre-back, but the coach asked me how I felt there and he has given me confidence to feel comfortable.”

That’s a good sign for Tuchel and Chelsea, and that character will, no doubt, be a factor in the Blues’ decision to pursue a deal this summer.