MARC CUCURELLA is a name on the tips of any Albion fans’ tongues at the moment.
Recently awarded Fan, and Players’ Player of the Season, Cucurella has had an incredible start to life at the Amex Stadium.
The £15m man from Getafe has had to work hard to earn his stripes in the Premier League.
Former Barcelona academy, later becoming tipped as a hot prospect for Spain, Albion eyes lit up at the idea of a respectable release clause.
The move to Albion seemed unusual to begin with as Solly March had a superb 2020/21 season at left wing-back before sustaining a long-term injury.
The return of March’s presence on the pitch was highly anticipated as far as Albion fans were concerned. Therefore the signing of Cucurella was perhaps deemed as competition for March across the fanbase.
However, Cucurella came into the team, and started straight away. Leicester at home, an impressive 2-1 victory. The impact the Spaniard had was immediate.
A scintillating debut, and one to get fans at the edge of their seats on day one. Noticeably skilful, a quick turn of pace, and a mean first-time cross were attributes which instantly raised eyebrows.
A rare ability to put an early, low-ball across was something which was perhaps lacking for a while at Albion.
Progressive carries, and passes are key to ‘Potterball’. A play-style which compliments the likes of Lewis Dunk and Robert Sanchez as well as bringing the best out of Tariq Lamptey, when on form.
It is a style recently implemented by manager Graham Potter, against Arsenal at the Emirates, whereby playing Lewis Dunk as a lone sweeper, seemed to work a charm.
Giving trust to his full-backs, and benefitting his midfielders, Cucurella is at the heart of that, and when compared to others similar, is ranked at the top of nearly every statistic, according to the statistics website fbref.com.
It has not been as simple as playing left-wing-back all season. The £13m sale of Dan Burn left a gap on the left side of defence, and with Adam Webster attaining back-to-back injuries, Cucurella was able to settle into that role very well.
When ranked against other centre-halves this season, the 24-year-old is extremely impressive, despite being notable shorter than most.
Surprisingly, given his height, Cucurella is strong in the air, winning 1.47 aerial duels per 90 minutes.
He also leads when compared to players in terms of progressive carries, dribbles completed, touches in the opposing penalty area, and progressive passes recorded, according to fbref.com.
These attributes are remarkable as Cucurella has proven his worth all over the pitch.
The Spaniard has seemingly retained his ‘good form’ all season. Without, really, a ‘bad’ game to his name, Cucurella has earned the right to be labelled Player of the Season.
The task of any young player coming to a new country cannot be underestimated. Sacrificing family, adopting a new culture, and learning a new language is something unfathomable to most.
Marc struck his first Albion, and Premier League goal against Manchester United, in the 4-0 win at the Amex.
An emphatic left-footed strike into the top corner, while only having a 0.02 npXg (non-penalty expected goals) per 90 this season, it was enough to set the Amex alight, on what was a historic night at the ground.
Cucurella left in tears during celebration, later revealing in interviews after the game, the difficulty of moving to a new place, in a new life.
It is important to remember for any player being taken from abroad, people need time to adapt, Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister are also prime examples of that.
Cucurella’s impact has been there for all to see this season. Overall, an incredible asset to the club. Potentially, a tough one to keep hold of, even this summer as clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have been linked with a move for him
For now, though, he is the man who drinks Estrella, and eats Paella… his hair is pretty big, too.
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