Why Marc Cucurella Is the Ideal Signing for Manchester City
Marc Cucurella’s name might not have initially stood out as a Manchester City target, but after excelling in his debut Premier League season for Brighton & Hove Albion, the Spanish full-back is being closely linked with the reigning champions. The 23-year-old’s adaptability, technical skill, and defensive prowess make him an intriguing fit for Pep Guardiola’s system. This analysis explores why Cucurella could be a perfect addition to Manchester City’s evolving squad.
Assessing Manchester City’s Left-Back Dilemma
For several seasons, Manchester City’s left-back position has attracted scrutiny. After Benjamin Mendy’s promising start faded due to injuries and off-field issues, the club has had to rely on alternatives. Oleksandr Zinchenko, though often underrated, has proven to be a reliable left-back and can also feature in midfield or advanced roles, particularly for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Joao Cancelo—primarily a right-back—was frequently utilized on the left during the 2021-22 campaign, playing more minutes than any other outfield player for City.
Cancelo’s versatility provides Guardiola with both a traditional wing-back and an ‘inverted full-back’, though his game is right-foot dominant (87% of his touches). Similarly, Zinchenko favors his left foot (91%), which can sometimes limit passing angles and attacking variety.
Enter Marc Cucurella: a naturally left-footed and highly two-footed defender (77% left-footed touches), who offers a refreshed dynamic. His ball security, ability to beat opponents one-on-one, and comfort under pressure make him an attractive solution for City. While left-back isn’t arguably City’s biggest problem, adding a high-caliber option like Cucurella increases tactical flexibility—especially as squad changes loom with veterans like Kyle Walker making fewer appearances.
The Versatility and Unique Playing Style of Marc Cucurella
Cucurella’s primary attribute is his impressive adaptability. In the previous Premier League season, he appeared 35 times for Brighton, split across several roles:
– 18 matches as a left-back in a back four
– 9 matches as a left-sided center-back in a back three
– 8 matches as a left wing-back
These roles demand different skills, yet Cucurella excelled in all, demonstrating possession quality as a ‘ball-playing’ defender, physicality as a ‘wide warrior’, and attacking impetus as a wing-back. His intelligence allows him to find pockets of space to receive the ball, and he is adept at fulfilling more advanced or central roles if needed. Pep Guardiola’s preference for versatile players means Cucurella could be molded into various tactical setups, even filling roles in central midfield if necessary.
Comparing Cucurella with City’s Current Full-Back Options
To gauge Cucurella’s suitability for City, let’s examine how his attributes stack up against Cancelo, Zinchenko, and Walker in both possession-based and defensive metrics.
Ball Progression and Passing Metrics
City values full-backs who are comfortable on the ball and contribute effectively to the buildup phase. Here’s a comparison based on key possession stats from the 2021-22 season (per 90 minutes):
| Player | Progressive Passes | Progressive Carries | Final Third Passes | Passes Under Pressure | Total Touches | Att. Pen. Area | Dribble Success (%) | Nutmegs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Cucurella | 5.06 | 6.07 | 3.84 | 8.22 | 78.5 | 1.97 | 53.3 | 0.23 |
| Joao Cancelo | 7.63 | 10.1 | 7.41 | 9.51 | 103.5 | 3.31 | 50.5 | 0.33 |
| Oleksandr Zinchenko | 8.45 | 9.66 | 7.84 | 7.84 | 99.4 | 1.90 | 54.5 | 0.09 |
| Kyle Walker | 4.41 | 4.67 | 8.97 | 6.05 | 90.7 | 1.13 | 57.1 | 0.05 |
While Cancelo and Zinchenko currently dominate City’s possession statistics, Cucurella is highly competent in maintaining tempo and moving the ball under pressure, with 8.22 passes per 90 under pressure—ranking among the best for his position across Europe.
Defensive Performance Metrics
Although City’s possession dominance can dilute defensive volume data, percentage-based metrics provide a more accurate measure. Here’s how Cucurella compares on defensive actions per 90 minutes:
| Player | Tackles + Interceptions | Tackle Success (%) | Dribbled Past | Pressures | Successful Pressures (%) | Aerial Duels Won (%) | Blocks | Fouls | Recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Cucurella | 4.71 | 62.3 | 0.84 | 15.5 | 37.8 | 54.0 | 2.08 | 1.01 | 10.2 |
| Joao Cancelo | 3.51 | 42.2 | 1.34 | 9.67 | 34.3 | 52.1 | 1.25 | 1.03 | 9.72 |
| Oleksandr Zinchenko | 3.27 | 30.8 | 0.78 | 8.10 | 33.0 | 51.5 | 1.55 | 0.95 | 9.83 |
| Kyle Walker | 2.46 | 50.0 | 0.56 | 8.41 | 34.1 | 55.3 | 1.03 | 0.36 | 7.95 |
Cucurella stands out for his defensive work rate and effectiveness, leading in tackles plus interceptions, tackle success (62.3%), and ball recoveries among the group. His pressing figures, particularly his success rate, align well with Guardiola’s emphasis on regaining possession quickly.
Attacking Output and Creativity
In attacking involvement, Cucurella provides a balance between City’s creative full-backs and the more defensive-minded Walker. Here’s a comparison of attacking contributions (per 90):
| Player | Goals + Assists | Expected G+A | Shots | Key Passes | Passes into Pen Area | Crosses into Pen Area | Total Crosses | Shot-Creating Actions | Progressive Pass Receives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Cucurella | 0.06 | 0.10 | 0.55 | 1.27 | 1.50 | 0.66 | 2.75 | 2.37 | 2.02 |
| Joao Cancelo | 0.22 | 0.26 | 2.26 | 1.09 | 2.65 | 0.36 | 2.87 | 2.87 | 3.54 |
| Oleksandr Zinchenko | 0.34 | 0.21 | 1.03 | 1.38 | 1.98 | 0.26 | 2.41 | 3.61 | 3.62 |
| Kyle Walker | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.41 | 0.67 | 1.03 | 0.26 | 1.44 | 1.85 | 1.54 |
Cucurella’s strength lies in his ability to deliver dangerous crosses, especially into the penalty area, and support attacking overloads in wide and half-space positions. Although not as prolific in raw production as Cancelo or Zinchenko, his creativity provides a distinct profile that City can further develop.
The Case for Cucurella: Enhancing City’s Depth and Tactical Flexibility
Strengthening the left-back position with a player of Cucurella’s profile presents numerous benefits:
– Provides genuine competition and rotation for Zinchenko and Cancelo
– Offers unique two-footedness and composure under pressure
– Can slot into multiple roles (full-back, wing-back, centre-back, and even midfield)
– Supports Guardiola’s pressing strategy with high defensive work rate and efficiency
– Brings an attacking threat from deep and wide positions
With City’s tendency to dominate matches and opponents adapting accordingly, having a full-back who can attack, defend, press, and operate in various tactical schemes increases City’s edge in crucial matches.
Conclusion: Why Cucurella Is the Missing Piece for Manchester City
Marc Cucurella possesses the all-round qualities suited for Manchester City’s high-tempo, possession-oriented game. His adaptability across defensive and attacking roles, ball mastery, defensive timing, and relentless work ethic make him a logical fit for Guardiola’s evolving demands.
As City plan for the future and seek to maintain dominance both domestically and in Europe, recruiting a dynamic full-back like Cucurella could prove crucial—not just as cover, but as a genuine challenger for a starting spot. His skillset aligns seamlessly with City’s approach, making him an ideal target for the coming seasons.
If Manchester City act decisively, Marc Cucurella could become a key figure in the club’s ambitions for silverware in years to come.
