<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-nassr/">Al Nassr</a> is currently undergoing a full-scale restructuring both on and off the field. The only constants at the moment appear to be <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>’s dominant leadership and a coaching change, with Jorge Jesus — who recently coached rivals Al Hilal — taking the reins. Everything else remains uncertain.



Names continue to surface as part of the club’s revamp, and the latest is Chelsea left-back <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/marc-cucurella/">Marc Cucurella</a>, who has emerged as a potential target for the Saudi side. Al Nassr is reportedly preparing a lucrative offer that could be hard to turn down for the Spaniard, whose stock has risen significantly under new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.



Despite Chelsea’s deep roster, the left-back position is not particularly crowded, with Cucurella and Ben Chilwell as the only natural options. This contrasts with the club’s abundance of center-backs and midfielders, increasing the likelihood that Cucurella could be sold for the right price.



Al Nassr is also in talks to sign <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/joao-felix/">João Félix</a> as they work to build a squad aligned with Ronaldo’s ambitions. The club is not just looking to strengthen the team but also to re-energize a fanbase that has grown frustrated with recent poor results — especially as Al Hilal and Al Ittihad continue to pull ahead.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250729_WST_581427_Marc-Cucurella-1200x675_a62239fd.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-581454" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/29125249/Marc-Cucurella-1200x675.png 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/29125249/Marc-Cucurella-300x169.png 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/29125249/Marc-Cucurella-768x432.png 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/29125249/Marc-Cucurella-1536x864.png 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/29125249/Marc-Cucurella-740x416.png 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/29125249/Marc-Cucurella-490x275.png 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/29125249/Marc-Cucurella-250x140.png 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/29125249/Marc-Cucurella.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>


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Cucurella played a vital role in Chelsea’s recent UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup victories. Although he currently intends to continue his career in the Premier League, Al Nassr is expected to approach him with a compelling offer aimed at making him a key figure in the Saudi Pro League.



The Spanish international has recently bounced back after a rough stretch marked by injuries and criticism, re-establishing himself as an essential piece of Chelsea’s defense.

Cristiano Ronaldo could be joined by Club World Cup champion as Al Nassr builds a dream team

Cristiano Ronaldo could be joined by Club World Cup champion as Al Nassr builds a dream team - World Soccer Talk

destacadas

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chelsea/">Chelsea</a> were putting on a dominant performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final, with the French side desperate to cut into a 3–0 deficit. But as frustration began to boil over, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/joao-neves/">João Neves</a> was shown a straight red card for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair.



Following a stunning first-half display, Chelsea held firm in the second half while <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/paris-saint-germain/">PSG</a> began to unravel under pressure. Despite pushing for a miracle comeback, Luis Enrique’s side couldn’t break through a resolute Robert Sánchez—who stood tall between the posts—before tempers flared in the final minutes.



With the ball meters away from them, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/marc-cucurella/">Cucurella</a> applied light pressure on Neves, and the PSG midfielder responded by grabbing a handful of the defender’s hair, sending him to the ground. Referee Alireza Faghani initially issued a yellow card, but after a VAR review, the decision was upgraded to a red.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">JOÃO NEVES SENT OFF! 🟥 PSG down to 10 in the final minutes of the match. Catch the <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFACWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIFACWC</a> Final | July 13 | Free | <a href="https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb">https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFACWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFACWC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TakeItToTheWorld?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TakeItToTheWorld</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHEPSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHEPSG</a> <a href="https://t.co/XkC2LFgQrw">pic.twitter.com/XkC2LFgQrw</a>— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/DAZNFootball/status/1944503837982679184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The incident left PSG down to ten men in the 85th minute, compounding an already dismal night in East Rutherford. Neves exited the pitch immediately and headed to the locker room, while Luis Enrique opted not to make a substitution to reinforce the midfield.



<h2>A heated ending to a high-stakes final</h2>



As expected from a final of this magnitude, tensions simmered throughout. The match finished with a total of 27 fouls—15 committed by Chelsea, 12 by PSG—and numerous confrontations sparked after Cole Palmer’s opening goal, with PSG players unhappy with the celebration.



Things escalated further after the final whistle when Luis Enrique was spotted grabbing Chelsea’s João Pedro by the neck—an incident that could result in disciplinary action for the Spanish coach. Still, Chelsea kept their composure after taking the lead early, going on to claim the first-ever title in the revamped <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/club-world-cup/">FIFA Club World Cup</a>.

Video: PSG’s Joao Neves shown straight red card for hair pull on Marc Cucurella in FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final

Video: PSG’s Joao Neves shown straight red card for hair pull on Marc Cucurella in FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/spain/">Spain</a> and Portugal squared off in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final in a high-stakes clash at the Allianz Arena. But while both teams fought for the title, a surprising subplot emerged: Spanish defender <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/marc-cucurella/">Marc Cucurella</a> was met with constant boos from the crowd, prompting questions about why the Chelsea fullback had become a target.



Though Germany wasn’t playing in the final, the match took place on German soil, and local fans made their feelings toward Cucurella loud and clear. The jeers stem from a controversial moment during the last European Championship, which remains fresh in the minds of many German supporters.



In the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, Germany was eliminated by Spain in a dramatic and contentious match. With the score tied 1–1 in extra time, Jamal Musiala fired a shot that clearly struck Cucurella’s arm inside the penalty box.



German players immediately appealed for a penalty, but English referee Anthony Taylor waved play on, deciding against awarding the spot kick. The decision drew widespread criticism in Germany, and Cucurella became a symbol of that bitter exit.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="680" height="489" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250608_WST_573422_cucurella-handball_76f98dfa.webp&amp;width=680&amp;height=489" alt="" class="wp-image-573425" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/08155840/cucurella-handball.jpg 680w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/06/08155840/cucurella-handball-300x216.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px"></figure></figure>



<h2>German fans present in final between Spain and Portugal</h2>



Though the final featured Spain and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/portugal/">Portugal</a>, German fans showed up in large numbers to the Allianz Arena, having watched their national team lose the third-place match to France earlier in the day.



Blended into the crowd, German supporters didn’t hesitate to make their voices heard. Every time Cucurella touched the ball, a chorus of whistles and boos rang out across the stadium. More than a year after the controversial no-call, the resentment clearly hasn’t faded.

Why is Marc Cucurella being booed during the UEFA Nations League Final between Spain and Portugal?

Why is Marc Cucurella being booed during the UEFA Nations League Final between Spain and Portugal? - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chelsea/">Chelsea</a> traveled to North London to face Tottenham Hotspur in Matchday 15 of the 2024-25 Premier League season, but defender <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/marc-cucurella/">Marc Cucurella</a>‘s performance came under scrutiny after two costly mistakes led to Spurs’ early goals. In response, the Spaniard opted to change his boots during the match.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/tottenham-hotspur/">Tottenham</a> took the lead in the 5th minute, capitalizing on Cucurella’s first error. The left-back failed to control a pass from center-back Levi Colwill in midfield. As he tried to recover, Cucurella slipped, allowing Brennan Johnson to steal the ball and deliver a perfect cross into the box for Dominik Solanke, who finished clinically to make it 1-0.



But the mistakes didn’t stop there. Just five minutes later, in the 10th minute, Cucurella was caught out again during a Chelsea buildup from the back. A pass from Enzo Fernandez was played back to the Spaniard, but under pressure from Johnson, Cucurella slipped once more. Johnson pounced on the loose ball and squared it to Dejan Kulusevski, who made a sharp move and finished expertly, doubling Spurs’ lead to 2-0.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Marc Cucurella goes for a change of footwear after several early slips. 👀 📺 USA Network | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TOTCHE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TOTCHE</a> <a href="https://t.co/LME7fpf0Ve">pic.twitter.com/LME7fpf0Ve</a>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1865800690003533905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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After the second goal, cameras caught Cucurella sprinting to the sideline, where he quickly changed his boots. Both of his earlier slips had resulted in Tottenham goals, and with the scoreline in Spurs’ favor, the change seemed like a necessary adjustment to rectify the situation.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241208_WST_543171_Marc-Cucurella-Chelsea-1200x675_2b4529a3.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-543200" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/08123713/Marc-Cucurella-Chelsea-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/08123713/Marc-Cucurella-Chelsea-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/08123713/Marc-Cucurella-Chelsea-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/08123713/Marc-Cucurella-Chelsea-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/08123713/Marc-Cucurella-Chelsea-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/08123713/Marc-Cucurella-Chelsea-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/08123713/Marc-Cucurella-Chelsea-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/08123713/Marc-Cucurella-Chelsea.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



With 28 points from 14 matches, Enzo Maresca’s side currently sit in third place in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/premier-league/">Premier League</a>, just one point behind Arsenal. The match against Spurs represented a crucial opportunity for the Blues to close the gap in the title race, while the home side, currently in 12th place, will be looking to push for a return to European competition spots.


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<h2>Spurs’ Cristiano Romero subbed off due to injury</h2>



Despite taking an early lead, Spurs suffered a significant setback in the first half when star defender Cristian Romero was forced off in the 15th minute with an injury. He was replaced by Radu Dragusin.



Romero had shown signs of discomfort early in the match, but it was a run to challenge midfielder Moises Caicedo that led to him going down, clutching his leg. Romero was able to walk off the pitch unaided and was later seen on the bench, which suggests the injury is not as severe as initially feared.



This marked Romero’s first appearance since his previous injury, which kept him sidelined for Spurs’ matches against Manchester City, AS Roma, Fulham, and Bournemouth. After suffering a ligament injury to his right toe, Romero was recovering, but now he faces another potential setback, though the nature of this injury has yet to be confirmed.

Chelsea's Marc Cucurella changes boots amid game after costly mistakes against Spurs

Chelsea's Marc Cucurella changes boots amid game after costly mistakes against Spurs - World Soccer Talk

Chelsea may send two players to Atletico Madrid as part of a swap deal to permanently land Joao Felix. Given the fact that Atletico will not give away its talisman for cheap, Chelsea may want to limit its spending. Moreover, there are too many players at the club after a spending spree under Todd Boehly. A swap deal alleviates some of the crowded squad.



According to the <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-transfer-news-joao-felix-atletico-pochettino-b1079734.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evening Standard</a>, the two players Chelsea could part with are Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marc Cucurella. Both players have experience in LaLiga. Aubameyang spent a portion of the 2021/22 campaign with FC Barcelona. Then, before joining Brighton and Hove Albion, Cucurella made 38 appearances with Getafe.



Atletico Madrid expects over $100 million from Chelsea for Joao Felix. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/pochettino-negotiating-own-deal-as-chelsea-move-nears-20230427-WST-430329.html">Mauricio Pochettino is looking likely</a> to take over at Chelsea in the summer. The Argentine will have major implications on the Chelsea squad. That starts with Felix, who hinted at staying at the Stamford Bridge club by raising his jersey after scoring against Bournemouth at the weekend.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Joao Felix, woah! 🎶 <a href="https://t.co/uKNjFQF9z6">pic.twitter.com/uKNjFQF9z6</a>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1655145446598385665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The potential for a Felix swap deal helps the club step around financial fair play, where Chelsea is under the watchful eye of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-accumulate-1billion-loss-but-claim-ffp-compliance-20230409-WST-427534.html">UEFA and Financial Fair Play</a>. Record spending in the winter with a handful of expensive acquisitions, notably Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez, could limit the spending this summer.



<h2>Felix swap deal allows Chelsea to keep money</h2>



Chelsea’s reported <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-financial-results-for-2021-22-show-148-million-loss-20230327-WST-425526.html">losses of around $150 million</a> could put some top talent on the chopping block at Stamford Bridge. The Evening Standard listed Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher, Kalidou Koulibaly and Mason Mount as players that are likely to leave. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-academy-staff-may-quit-over-potential-player-clear-out-20230502-WST-431406.html">threat to homegrown talents</a> has led to some disapproval within the Chelsea academy coaching staff. 



However, Chelsea is <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-close-to-hiring-mauricio-pochettino-as-manager-20230424-WST-429879.html">waiting for Pochettino</a> to have a say. The Argentine is certainly the frontrunner to be the Chelsea manager ahead of next season. For now, Frank Lampard leads the club into its final three games of the season.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus

Joao Felix is a permanent target for Chelsea, and he may be able to stay if the club can pull off a swap deal with Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea may use two players in swap deal for Joao Felix

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Chelsea may use two players in swap deal for Joao Felix