Todd Boehly reveals comical reason behind €65m Chelsea signing

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has admitted that he only signed Brighton & Hove Albion defender Marc Cucurella in 2022 because Manchester City also wanted him.

Cucurella, 27, moved to Stamford Bridge for a whopping €65.3 million in August 2022 following an eye-catching debut campaign at Brighton, with Chelsea pipping Man City to his signature after Pep Guardiola’s side withdrew from negotiations over a deal.

The Spain international looked likely to secure a blockbuster move to the Etihad Stadium, however Man City were unwilling to match Brighton’s lofty asking price, which allowed Chelsea to win the race to sign him.

Since his arrival in west London, Cucurella has established himself as one of the best left-backs in world football, despite a shaky first season at the club, and he remains an integral player under new boss Liam Rosenior.

However, Boehly has now admitted that he only finalised a deal for the 27-year-old due to the fact Man City were also eager to sign him.

The American billionaire became Chelsea’s interim sporting director following the Clearlake Capital takeover in May 2022, with Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech both leaving their roles at the club after Roman Abramovich’s departure.

The club eventually hired Paul Winstanley in November 2022, with Laurence Stewart then arriving as co-sporting director the following February, but the signing of Cucurella, and several others during the 2022 summer transfer window, came under Boehly’s leadership.

Todd Boehly reveals why Chelsea signed Marc Cucurella in 2022

Speaking at a panel event hosted by iConnections, Boehly revealed the true reason behind Chelsea’s decision to sign Cucurella three-and-a-half years ago.

“Having taken over in the circumstances that we did, basically the whole management team left,” Boehly said.

“I was stuck being interim Sporting Director for a summer, having no idea what made a good football player. But knowing that Marc Cucurella, if Man City wanted him, I want him. It was really simple that way.”

Cucurella has made 148 appearances since his arrival at Chelsea, scoring nine goals, and he helped the Blues win the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup last season.

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