Cucurella Defends Mourinho as Real Madrid Struggle for Early Momentum

Cucurella Urges Patience as Mourinho’s Real Madrid Project Finds Its Feet

Marc Cucurella believes it is far too early to judge José Mourinho’s work at Real Madrid, despite the club making an uneven start to the new LaLiga campaign.

Madrid have lost two of their opening seven league matches, against Real Betis and Atlético Madrid, and currently sit six points behind early leaders Barcelona. Cucurella, however, says the team needs time to adapt to a new manager, new teammates and a different tactical approach.

“It Is Too Soon to Speak”

Speaking while on international duty with Spain, Cucurella acknowledged that the opening weeks have not gone as planned but insisted that the club’s progress should be assessed later in the season.

“The beginning of the season hasn’t been what we all hoped for, but it is a process. We will see where we are at the end of the campaign.”

The defender added that Madrid had little time to prepare before the campaign began, making the transition more difficult for both the coaching staff and the players.

“At Madrid, we have just started with a new manager and it is too soon to speak. Some players only had a week-long preseason before starting.”

Cucurella Focused on Adapting at Madrid

Cucurella joined Real Madrid from Chelsea during the summer for a reported fee of €55 million, with his performances for club and country helping him earn a place among the 30 Ballon d’Or nominees.

The left-back has made a strong start with Spain, helping the world champions secure Nations League victories over England and Croatia. That form has prompted comparisons between his international performances and his early displays for Madrid.

“It hasn’t even been 10 games yet. There are things to improve, of course. It is a new club for me, and I have to adapt to my teammates and give my best.”

Cucurella said his aim is to reproduce his best Spain performances in a Real Madrid shirt as he becomes more comfortable with the club’s demands.

Ballon d’Or Rivals on Both Sides

The defender is also in the unusual position of sharing a dressing room with two of the leading Ballon d’Or contenders: Kylian Mbappé at Madrid and Lamine Yamal with Spain.

Asked who he would choose for the award, Cucurella responded with a smile: “If it was up to me to vote, I would vote for myself.” He then added that he would be happy with either teammate winning.

Spain will next host Czechia in Oviedo before travelling to Croatia to close the international break. Cucurella will then return to Madrid as the club looks to steady its season under Mourinho.

Based on comments made by Marc Cucurella during Spain’s international camp.