With Mauricio Pochettino relieved of his duties on the finish of the season, it’s doable that Chelsea’s new supervisor will deploy completely different techniques to the Argentine in 2024/25.
That may be a disgrace, as Pochettino’s fluid system was in a position to get the most effective out of gamers like Marc Cucurella, who was given the liberty to roam from left again.
That helped the participant to shine in the direction of the tip of the marketing campaign; a lot so, the truth is, that he’s been known as as much as the provisional Spain squad for EURO 2024.
Onerous Occasions
It’s not many moons in the past that Spain had been the undisputed kings of Europe: successful the EUROs in 2008 and 2012, in addition to a World Cup in-between.
However they’ve fallen on exhausting instances since, which is confirmed by the newest EUROs odds from Paddy Energy. At 7/1, they’re behind England (3/1), France (7/2), and Germany (4/1) within the pecking order.
There can be soccer predictions columns that warn punters to not write off the Spanish attributable to their previous endeavours, whereas the pedigree of gamers like Manchester Metropolis’s Rodri and former teammate Aymeric Laporte requires no introduction.
Marc Cucurella has been included in Spain’s provisional squad for #EURO2024! 👏 pic.twitter.com/7Q5YnuEMy5
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) Could 27, 2024
Cucurella may have opposition for the left-back berth in Luis de la Fuente’s beginning eleven. Jose Gaya might have been neglected of the squad attributable to damage, however there’s nonetheless Alex Grimaldo – he served up 23 purpose involvements in a exceptional season for Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
So the Chelsea man might have a watching transient on the event, however he will definitely head to Germany – if chosen within the remaining Spain squad – with confidence after his high-quality kind on the finish of the marketing campaign.
Man within the Center
Key to Cucurella’s improved kind was the tactical swap that noticed him deployed as an inverted full-back for the previous couple of video games of the season.
It led to the Spaniard changing into extra concerned within the play from central positions, whereas permitting the left-sided quantity eight the liberty to function increased up the pitch.
Cucurella supplied assists within the victories over Everton and his previous membership Brighton, whereas additionally producing excellent shows towards West Ham and Tottenham particularly.
Aim – N.JACKSON
Help – CUCURELLAChelsea 4-0 Everton (44 minutes)#FPL #CHEEVE
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) April 15, 2024
It’s unlikely that De la Fuente will use inverted full-backs together with his Spain aspect, as traditionally the place is used to offer width in assault in Spanish soccer tradition.
But it surely’s attention-grabbing to notice that Enzo Maresca, rumoured to be the primary alternative of alternative for Pochettino, has utilised inverted full-backs in his profitable tenure at Leicester Metropolis – Ricardo Pereira on the fitting or Hamza Choudhury on the left, and sometimes each on the identical time.
It’s one thing that might nicely hand Cucurella the sting over Ben Chilwell throughout the brand new regime, which ought to hopefully assist to get the perfect from the Spaniard once more.
Whether or not it counts for something with Spain at EURO 2024 stays to be seen, however Cucurella’s performances for the reason that spring are proof that in soccer, you possibly can nonetheless train comparatively previous canines new tips.
