Brighton

Brighton

Premier League • England

‘People said I couldn’t’ – Brighton star revels in doing what the doubters said he wasn’t capable of

Marc Cucurella, Leandro Trossard, Brighton, April 2022.

Marc Cucurella is loving his time at Brighton and is revelling in finally getting the chance to prove the doubters wrong.

Cucurella joined Brighton from Getafe in the summer for £16.2million. This has been the first season that the 23-year-old has spent away from Spain.

However, he appears to have adapted to England very well. Cucurella has started every single league game he has been available for at Brighton and has only been substituted off three times.

He has provided one assist in his time at the club, and his versatile nature has been a massive bonus for the Seagulls. Cucurella has been utilised as a left-back – his natural position – as well as a wing-back, and more recently, a centre-back.

Indeed, he has been part of a very good defence no matter the position he plays in. Brighton have a good defensive record having conceded just 37 league goals this term – only four teams have conceded less.

Cucurella is performing well at Brighton, and does not mind being utilised in a new role.

“In the end, what I was looking for was to play as a full-back, which is what I have done all my life,” he told Marca.

“There were people who said I couldn’t play as a full-back because I couldn’t defend, but now I’m proving I can even play as a centre-back in a back three.”

Cucurella has praised the role the coaches have played in helping him to adapt to the role.

“I had never played left centre back before, but the coach asked me how I would look there, and he has given me the confidence to feel very comfortable,” he added.

Cucurella thriving at Brighton

Marc Cucurella Tottenham Hotspurs Dejan Kulusevski March 2022

It seems Cucurella is thriving since his move to Brighton, and he also revealed his happiness at being there.

“I’m very happy to be here. The victories against Arsenal and Tottenham have allowed us to boost the team’s morale after a bad run of results,” he said.

It also seems the Spaniard loves the spectacle of the English top flight.

“The atmosphere in the Premier League is spectacular. People live for soccer. My partner came with the kids against Brentford and had to leave early,” he said.

Brighton have a big clash at Manchester City next up. Though the 23-year-old does not seem fazed by the challenge of facing the table-topping side.

“We are at the best moment of the season and they have a couple of absentees and the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid is coming up,” he said.

READ MORE: Report names four stars at top of Ten Hag wishlist – but shocking budget cut undermines Man Utd plans