Latest news with #MarcCucurella
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Inside Chelsea's Conference League celebrations as Caicedo sings karaoke until early hours and Mudryk poses with medal
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHELSEA stars partied into the early hours of the morning after getting their hands on the Uefa Conference League trophy. The west Londoners completed the set of European club trophies on Wednesday night thanks to a 4-1 win over Real Betis in Poland. 12 Chelsea got their hands on the Uefa Conference League trophy on Wednesday night Credit: GETTY 12 The Blues beat Real Betis 4-1 to complete the set of European club trophies Credit: GETTY 12 Pedro Neto was joined on the pitch by his other half, Claudia Silva after getting his winners' medal 12 Marc Cucurella was joined by his wife, Claudia Rodriguez Goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo sealed a famous victory in Wroclaw for the Blues. There were joyful scenes on the pitch after the final whistle. And skipper Reece James sent the travelling Stamford Bridge faithful into a state of ecstasy when he raised the trophy high into the sky. But the celebrations didn't stop on the pitch, with Enzo Maresca's troops keeping the party going in the dressing room. The players, understandably, were in the mood for busting a move - particularly Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard did his best two-step as Caicedo broadcast the celebrations on Instagram Live. Goal scorers Fernandez and Jackson also cut a rug as several of the Spanish-speaking players belted out Daddy Yankee's 2004 hit 'Gasolina'. Marc Guiu was seen in the background enjoying one of the beers brought through for the players to enjoy. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 12 There were joyful scenes in the dressing room, with Marc Cucurella dancing along to some Central Cee 12 The west Londoners celebrated long into the night back at the team hotel Credit: INSTAGRAM@ENZOJFERNANDEZ 12 They were joined scores of staff members who travelled to Wroclaw Credit: INSTAGRAM@LEVICOLWILL 12 Moises Caicedo serenaded his team-mates with a rendition of a reggaeton song Credit: INSTAGRAM@YUNGCHALOBAH The Blues continued their celebrations back at the team hotel, where they had a private room to dance the night away. Pedro Neto and Filip Jorgensen were well and truly in the mood for dancing, getting downtown to Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk'. CBS Sports reporter asks Cole Palmer why he's carrying trophy in his shorts and Chelsea star's answer doesn't disappoint There was also some late-night karaoke, with Caicedo treating his team-mates to a rendition of a reggaeton song. Trevor Chalobah posted footage of Caicedo's sing-song to his Instagram story, with his accompanying caption reading: "Ladies and gentlemen, my CDM." Noni Madueke also got on the mic, rapping to Meek Mill's 'Dreams and Nightmares'. It was a late night for Ecuador international Caicedo, who was still going strong at 4am. The 23-year-old returned to Instagram Live in the early hours of the morning, prompting team-mate Romeo Lavia to tell him to "go to bed". Several players shared snaps of themselves proudly showing off their winners' medals, including the BANNED Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukrainian, who is serving a provisional drugs ban, wore a medal for a snap with Fernandez despite not having played in the competition since last November. Levi Cowill gave a glimpse at just how many people were in attendance at the celebrations with a photo shouting out the club staff. 12 Noni Madueke also got on the mic, rapping Meek Mill's 'Dreams and Nightmares' 12 The midfielder was on Instagram Live at 4am and was told to go to bed by team-mate Romeo Lavia Credit: instagram 12 Mykhailo Mudryk joined in on the celebrations - despite serving a provisional drug ban Credit: INSTAGRAM@ENZOJFERNANDEZ 12 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was happy as Larry during the celebrations Credit: INSTAGRAM@KDH_8 Maresca, 45, was nowhere to be seen during the late-night celebrations, which may have resulted in a sore head or two. The Italian is hoping the Conference League triumph will be the first of many trophies during his reign, saying: "I'm very proud, and very happy. "I know the fans deserve it, they've waited for a few years for good moments. "The club has invested a lot of money so they've been waiting too. "Hopefully, this can be a starting point and we can begin to create something important. "The target for next season? We're going to try again. "We'll enjoy it for a week or so, and then start looking ahead."
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Inside Chelsea's Conference League celebrations as Caicedo sings karaoke until early hours and Mudryk poses with medal
CHELSEA stars partied into the early hours of the morning after getting their hands on the Uefa Conference League trophy. The west Londoners completed the set of European club trophies on Wednesday night thanks to a 4-1 win over Real Betis in Poland. 11 11 11 Goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo sealed a famous victory in Wroclaw for the Blues. There were joyful scenes on the pitch after the final whistle. And skipper Reece James sent the travelling Stamford Bridge faithful into a state of ecstasy when he raised the trophy high into the sky. But the celebrations didn't stop on the pitch, with Enzo Maresca 's troops keeping the party going in the dressing room. The players, understandably, were in the mood for busting a move - particularly Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard did his best two-step as Caicedo broadcast the celebrations on Instagram Live. Goal scorers Fernandez and Jackson also cut a rug as several of the Spanish-speaking players belted out Daddy Yankee's 2004 hit 'Gasolina'. Marc Guiu was seen in the background enjoying one of the beers brought through for the players to enjoy. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 11 11 11 The Blues continued their celebrations back at the team hotel, where they had a private room to dance the night away. Pedro Neto and Filip Jorgensen were well and truly in the mood for dancing, getting downtown to Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk'. CBS Sports reporter asks Cole Palmer why he's carrying trophy in his shorts and Chelsea star's answer doesn't disappoint There was also some late-night karaoke, with Caicedo treating his team-mates to a rendition of a reggaeton song. Trevor Chalobah posted footage of Caicedo's sing-song to his Instagram story, with his accompanying caption reading: "Ladies and gentlemen, my CDM." Noni Madueke also got on the mic, rapping to Meek Mill's 'Dreams and Nightmares'. It was a late night for Ecuador international Caicedo, who was still going strong at 4am. The 23-year-old returned to Instagram Live in the early hours of the morning, prompting team-mate Romeo Lavia to tell him to "go to bed". Several players shared snaps of themselves proudly showing off their winners' medals, including the BANNED Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukrainian, who is serving a provisional drugs ban, wore a medal for a snap with Fernandez despite not having played in the competition since last November. Levi Cowill gave a glimpse at just how many people were in attendance at the celebrations with a photo shouting out the club staff. 11 11 Maresca, 45, was nowhere to be seen during the late-night celebrations, which may have resulted in a sore head or two. The Italian is hoping the Conference League triumph will be the first of many trophies during his reign, saying: "I'm very proud, and very happy. "I know the fans deserve it, they've waited for a few years for good moments. "The club has invested a lot of money so they've been waiting too. "Hopefully, this can be a starting point and we can begin to create something important. "We'll enjoy it for a week or so, and then start looking ahead."
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
All the sports stars who have flocked to Kandima in the Maldives for their holiday - including a current Premier League champion, a champions League winner and a host of international stars
Premier League stars past and present are flocking in their droves to one resort in the Maldives for their holidays. Kandima has established itself as one of the most in-demand Maldivian islands since it was built in 2017. Extensive work continues to be done to expand the island resort and indeed extend to other nearby islands. However, the clear blue waters you have to see to believe is the calling card of Kandima and plenty of stars have had to check it out. Millions has been invested in island that is just 3km long but inhabited by just Kandima. Let's take a look at who has taken the trip to paradise. To read our full review of why the sports stars are flocking to Kandima, you can do so here. Ederson (Man Cit y) After winning the treble in 2023, Ederson celebrated in style by heading to the luxury island for his holiday. This season ended a run of four straight Premier League title for the Brazilian, but he might well be the most decorated current pro to grace the resort. He left his gloves at home and played out on pitch during his stay! Joe Gomez (Liverpool) The Liverpool defender has just picked up the second Premier League winners medal of his career and back in 2022, he also enjoyed the delights of the Maldives with Kandima. The defender celebrated his eight-year anniversary with his partner during his trip. Still 28, Gomez still has plenty of his career in the top flight left. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) Cucurella hasn't actually been to the resort yet, but he is scheduled to later this year after having to cancel last year when he was included in Spain's Euro-winning squad. It's understood the Chelsea star will be taking his whole family, much of whom you are able to get to know and see on Season 2 of Married to the Game. Former Premier League stars include: Daniel Agger (Liverpool) The Dane stayed on the island back in 2020 just before the Covid outbreak (not a bad place to go before being locked down!). He played 175 Premier League games for Liverpool and won both the FA Cup and Champions League during his time at Anfield. Wes Brown (Man United) The 23-time England international visited the resort when it first opened back in 2017 just when he was playing for Kerala Blasters in nearby India. As a five-time Premier League champion and two-time Champions League winner, he might be the most decorated footballer to grace the gorgeous beaches of Kandima. Patrick Cutrone (Wolves, now Como) The former AC Milan wonderkid went to the Maldives in the summer of 2022. He went with Italian defender Davide Calabria (who is at Bologna on-loan from AC Milan). After stuttering during his time in England, Cutrone has found his feet again with Como and has 30 goals in nearly 100 games. Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) The former Liverpool left-back now plying his trade in Serie A with Como went on honeymoon to Kandima with his wife, Lilia Granadilla back in 2021. Judging by his socials, the Spaniard enjoys being in the Maldives but had particular praise for Kandima. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ａｌｂｅｒｔｏ Ｍｏｒｅｎｏ (@18albertomp) Jack Butland (Stoke, now Rangers) The nine-time England international took his family to the luxury resort in the summer of 2023 while enjoying his break from the game. After returning form the holiday he secured a loan deal to Manchester United. He's still Rangers' number one to this day. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jack Butland (@jbutland_) Other sports stars include: Davide Calabria (AC Milan) Mohamed Shami (Indian cricketer) Ricardinho (Portuguese six-time world futsal champion) Sean Garnier (Red Bull Freestyle champion) Kandima is not your typical Maldives getaway as it boasts a go-kart track, art classes, a full-size football pitch, tennis and badminton courts and will soon open PlaySpace with VR gaming, a bowling alley, arcade games, escape rooms and karaoke rooms. That's in addition to what you'd expect - a ton of water-based activities and a top of the line kids club. But what's really driving the star to Kandima is sure to be the jaw-dropping views with turquoise ocean and sandy beaches. More and more sport stars seem to be heading down to the islands.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 37: Bukayo Saka & Marc Cucurella among strong options
ANOTHER captivating Dream Team season is almost at an end. Due to the fact the final round of Premier League fixtures will all kick-off at the same time, gaffers have until 2:30pm on Sunday to confirm their transfers for Gameweek 37, the last of the campaign. In the hope of steering you towards a strong finish, allow us to present some transfer recommendations. 3 Marc Cucurella (£3.9m) Chelsea are the only team with two fixtures remaining as they will take on Real Betis in the Conference League final three days after their trip to the City Ground. With Champions League qualification stake, Enzo Maresca won't be able to name a second-string XI against Nottingham Forest and so there's a good chance that Cucurella will get two starts in the final Gameweek of the campaign. The Spain international put himself in the spotlight last Friday when he banked 16 points against Manchester United via a goal and clean sheet. In fact, the mop-haired left-back now leads the way for goals scored (7) among Dream Team defenders this season. Cole Palmer (£4.9m) remains the Blues' best performer in terms of total points while Enzo Fernandez (£4.6m), Noni Madueke (£2m) and Pedro Neto (£3.6m) are also viable options. 3 Bukayo Saka (£5.8m) Arsenal's final fixture will take them to St Mary's where they will face a Southampton side that have mustered just two wins all season long. Given Saints have scored the fewest league goals and conceded the most, there should be plenty of points on offer for the Gunners on Sunday. Saka is the man most likely to benefit in attack as he leads the way among his team-mates for goal involvements (12 goals and 17 assists) despite having missed three months of the campaign through injury. Mikel Arteta's side boast the best defensive record in the top flight and so it would be perfectly reasonable to expect a clean sheet from the visitors at St Mary's. With several first-choice defenders sidelined, Dream Team bosses will have look at Riccardo Calafiori (£2.6m), Jakub Kiwior (£3m) or Ben White (£3.6m) if they want to go down this route - David Raya (£4.2m) is a safe selection between the sticks. 3 Jarrod Bowen (£5.6m) West Ham fans will be happy to see the back of this season but in Bowen they have one of the most consistently reliable performers in the top flight. The 28-year-old averages 7.5 points-per-game in 2024/25 and he will enter the final Gameweek as Dream Team's most in-form forward. Having scored four goals in his last five outings, the England international will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Ipswich this weekend, especially after the Tractor Boys lost 2-0 to Leicester last time out. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.2m) deserves praise for his individual efforts too. The fact only Pedro Porro (£5.1m) has earned more bonus points among defenders is evidence of the West Ham full-back's positive impact.
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How Marc Cucurella became an important element of Chelsea's attack
On paper, Marc Cucurella has been playing as a left-back for Chelsea, but his role in possession has been much more varied than that. Over Enzo Maresca's debut season as their head coach, Cucurella has filled different positions in Chelsea's 3-2-4-1 shape on the ball. The Spaniard has featured in the first line of the build-up, next to Moises Caicedo in the double pivot, as a left No 10 when they go to the box midfield and as the widest attacker down the left wing. Advertisement In Chelsea's alternate 3-1-3-3 attacking shape, Cucurella has played similar roles and proved to be an effective solution in the attacking third, especially against back-five formations. Here, in the 1-0 win against Leicester City in March, Cucurella is the left-winger when Chelsea are in possession, while Christopher Nkunku and Enzo Fernandez flank Cole Palmer as the three No 10s ahead of Caicedo. Nkunku's characteristics mean that he is more suited to operating in the half-space rather than down the touchline, but Cucurella's ability to play either role led to Chelsea's winner that day. In the build-up to the goal, Nkunku is in his narrow position and occupying Leicester's right wing-back, James Justin, as Fernandez passes to the advancing Cucurella. As Chelsea's left-back controls the ball, Nkunku drifts wider to create space for him. Due to Nkunku's continuing threat, Justin is unable to move towards Cucurella, and because Leicester's right centre-back Wout Faes isn't close enough… … the Spain international has time and space to drill the ball past Mads Hermansen into the bottom corner. It's from this left No 10 position, as below against West Ham in February, that Cucurella has been popping up in the penalty area to score important goals for Chelsea this season. In our next example, from December's match against Brentford, he is in the same spot again as Malo Gusto plays the ball wide to Noni Madueke. Chelsea's nominal left-back, he is looking to attack the space between Brentford's right centre-back and wing-back, Sepp van den Berg and Mads Roerslev respectively, with the latter initially in a wider position to defend Jadon Sancho. When Madueke receives the ball, Van den Berg adjusts his position to mark striker Nicolas Jackson, and Cucurella perfectly times his run to attack the gap in Brentford's defence and meet his right-winger's cross… … and head the ball into the back of the net. The 26-year-old scored a similar goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers a month later. This time, Cucurella is looking to attack that same space with Wolves' right centre-back, Matt Doherty, occupied by Jackson, and Rayan Ait-Nouri — who had just switched positions with Nelson Semedo after a free kick — in a one-v-two scenario at the far post. As Madueke sends a cross into the penalty area, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Cucurella make runs to attack the ball… … and the midfielder flicks it on towards what for him is the far post, where his left-back colleague's overload has him in a goalscoring position. Cucurella chests the ball down, before putting Chelsea in front. Despite not having the complete skill set to operate between the lines, Cucurella is useful in this No 10 role because of his ability to time runs into the penalty area. Considering Chelsea's attacking approach under Maresca, a late runner into the box complements their focus on attacking the wide areas through their isolated wingers. The out-and-out wingers force the opposition to stretch their defensive lines, which creates gaps for Cucurella to attack. Advertisement 'Cucurella has a background with Barcelona's academy, La Masia, so he grew up in a club where the philosophy that I like is similar,' Maresca said after the 1-0 win against Manchester United last Friday. 'The reason why Cucurella is doing so well with us is because we know him, what he can do, and the way we like to play is exactly the way that is good for him.' It was Cucurella who scored the winner that night — in the same fashion as his other goals. As we join the move, he is attacking the penalty area from a left No 10 position, while Pedro Neto plays the ball infield to Reece James on the Chelsea right. Initially, Victor Lindelof is in a position to track his movement… … but when Palmer dashes forward, he catches the attention of United's right centre-back and Chelsea create a three-versus-two overload towards the far post. Meanwhile, James spins Alejandro Garnacho near the edge of the penalty area… … and sends a cross towards the far post, where Cucurella attacks the space between Lindelof and Noussair Mazraoui… … before heading the ball into the far corner. 'Cucurella already scored this season exactly similar goal(s) against Brentford and Wolves,' said Chelsea's head coach. 'He is in the right position at the right moment — it's not about how big you are, tall or small.' The timing of 5ft 8in (172cm) Cucurella's runs into the penalty area is his main strength when playing as a left No 10, and his versatility means that his other strengths can be used in different roles, depending on the opponent and the profiles of his team-mates. Defensively, he plays in one position for Chelsea, but offensively, it's a completely different story.
