REVEALED: How the Chelsea flop went from being the target of boos to playing a crucial role in their European campaign… and a key change shows why Pep Guardiola wanted him at Man City

Well after full time, once Stamford Bridge had been emptied to leave only the cleaners in the stands, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart emerged from the tunnel full of smiles after one of their regular visits to the Chelsea dressing room.

Both sporting directors have reason to hope their signings will show their value in time to secure European football – from Noni Madueke to Moises Caicedo to Nicolas Jackson – even if they cannot claim credit for being the one of the catalysts of this recovery in form.

This is Marc Cucurella, the left-back who now plays in midfield and shows why Pep Guardiola wanted to sign him for Manchester City before Chelsea paid Brighton £55m plus £7m.

Cucurella was signed in August 2022 ahead of the arrivals of Winstanley and Stewart, but the 25-year-old is in the middle of a satisfying redemption arc at Stamford Bridge.

His first start of the season came in the Carabao Cup against League Two Wimbledon – a 2-1 win in which his name was booed as Manchester United were linked with a loan move.

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella enjoys satisfying redemption at Stamford Bridge

Cucurella touch map in the first half against Villa (L) and in the second half after tactical change

Now he is as valuable as anyone in Mauricio Pochettino’s final campaign for Europe – one of those who would be a ‘big blow’ if he suddenly appeared on the club’s unpredictable injury list following his contribution to the 2-0 and 5-0 victories. Tottenham and West Ham.

When Chelsea are in possession, Cucurella moves into midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, a move that allows Conor Gallagher to progress further up the pitch to the No.10 position he has become accustomed to to occupy.

Gallagher’s presence in turn gives Cole Palmer the right to move, usually to the right side where he has been at his best.

This is a new tactical adjustment from Pochettino, with Cucurella having previously acted as a typical wide man on his Premier League debut.

Insiders say it’s a change the manager has been considering for some time, even practicing it during 11 v 11 training sessions at Cobham, but it’s half-time in the trip to Aston Villa it was less than two weeks ago that Pochettino decided. to test it well.

In the first half at Villa Park, Cucurella remained level on the left as Chelsea found themselves 2-0 down. In the second half, Pochettino decided to go for it, asking his left-back to play much more centrally as the visitors came back to draw 2-2.

We’ve seen Chelsea managers make tactical changes mid-match before, most notably Antonio Conte and his 3-4-3 setup at half-time of a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal that ultimately won them the Premier League.

Like it or not, Pochettino deserves credit for this adjustment which has given the club a chance to finish the season strong.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has told his left-back to play much more centrally

Cucurella’s touch map against West Ham (L) and Chelsea’s average positions during the match

Since that draw at Villa, Chelsea have beaten Tottenham, wiped the floor with West Ham and now face a trip to Nottingham Forest this Saturday in which Cucurella will likely continue his reverse forays with partner Caicedo while Enzo Fernandez recovers of an operation.

Cucurella is performing as well as we’ve seen him in a Chelsea shirt and insiders are delighted for him, with one saying he’s often cited by teammates as the ‘funniest guy’ in the dressing room .

This sympathy is why those around him want him to become much more loved by outsiders at the club. Keep performing so impressively and he will soon earn that praise.