Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has admitted that the club’s youthful squad “paid the price” for a lack of experience during their heavy Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, while expressing personal frustration over the mid-season departure of former manager Enzo Maresca.
Speaking from Spain’s training camp, Cucurella offered a candid assessment of Chelsea’s recent 8-2 aggregate loss to PSG, noting that the team “lacked experience” in high-stakes moments.
The 27-year-old suggested that while the club’s policy of signing young talent builds for the future, it has made competing for major trophies immediately difficult.
He remarked: “Against PSG, we lacked players that had gone through situations like that.”
Cucurella also defended the stability provided by Enzo Maresca before his January exit, admitting he would not have made the change mid-season.
Currently under the guidance of Liam Rosenior, Chelsea faces a daunting April schedule, including a crucial FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale this Saturday followed by Premier League clashes with Manchester City and Manchester United.
Cucurella noted: “With Enzo Maresca in charge, we were more stable.”
Contrasting his club struggles, Cucurella remains a vital figure for Luis de la Fuente’s Spain, who are widely considered favorites for the 2026 World Cup.
“La Roja” will begin their campaign in Group H against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta, followed by a meeting with Saudi Arabia and a highly anticipated group finale against Uruguay.
Refreshed by the international break, Cucurella stated: “Coming to the national team is a breath of fresh air.”