Graham Potter explains Marc Cucurella's 'up and down' start at Chelsea
By Mitch Wilks
Graham Potter has explained why he thinks Marc Cucurella has had a difficult start to life at Chelsea.
The Spaniard signed from Brighton in a deal up to £62m including add-ons, having only joined the Seagulls under Potter the year before.
Cucurella took to the Premier League seamlessly upon signing for Brighton, winning the club's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards in his first and only campaign on the south coast.
Following interest from Manchester City, Chelsea swooped in and snapped up the 24-year-old, but his form has been streaky since making the transfer.
Potter opened up on the tough start in a press conference ahead of Chelsea's game against Red Bull Salzburg.
"He’s had a couple of issues, a bit of illness, he’s been on antibiotics, but he’s a lot better," he said.
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Potter added: "[Being substituted early against] Manchester United was purely tactical, a need to get an extra body in midfield.
"He was the one to come out probably because of all the things that have happened to him. A bit unlucky there.
"He’s good, he’s ready to fight for the team, he’s ready to play. He’s a resilient character, he’s a really good person.
"Sometimes when you move clubs it goes really well, and sometimes it can be a little bit of an up-and-down period. Marc’s a little bit up and down but he’s a top player and he will show his quality."