Chelsea have completed the signing of Marc Cucurella for £55 million with the possibility of another £7 million in add-ons. The Spanish defender has signed a six-year deal.
The 24-year-old defender joined Brighton for a fee in the region of £15 million from Getafe less than a year ago and subsequently earned their player of the season f award. Cucurella featured 39 times for the Seagulls last season and produced one goal and two assists for Graham Potter's side.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Tuchel outlined how the defender will fit into his plans for the coming season. The German coach hopes the club's new signing can take the pressure of Ben Chilwell.
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He said: “Yeah. Absolutely it helps with the depth and especially for Ben to escape the pressure of, 'I have to deliver because we need you absolutely now’. We have, of course, also in this position Marcos Alonso, Kenedy and Emerson. Hopefully, when things go through, Marc is the option in this position.
"But he can play very well in the back three too. It’s a similar profile of Azpi, but with the left foot. He gives us many options."
Levi Colwill has headed to Brighton in the opposite direction on a season-long loan to the Amex. Graham Potter is pleased to have the 19-year-old at his disposal.
Potter said, “Levi has enormous potential and has already shown his ability last season in the Championship and with England at various age group levels up to under-21s. I am really looking forward to working with him on the training pitch, and in matches over the course of the season.
“He plays mostly at centre-back, but has also played on the left as a full-back, and he is a player who is comfortable on the ball.”
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