Chelsea have bad news for Cristiano Ronaldo as Blues take strong stance on Marc Cucurella amid Al-Nassr transfer talk

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Marc Cucurella has been linked with Al-Nassr but is considered unlikely to leave Chelsea, according to the the latest reporting.

WHAT HAPPENED?

football.london reports that Chelsea have "no intention" of parting ways with Cucurella, despite links with Al-Nassr. The Spain international has become a crucial part of Enzo Maresca's team at Stamford Bridge, after initially struggling when he joined from Brighton for big money in 2022.

Portugal v Spain - UEFA Nations League 2025 Final

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Cristiano Ronaldo was credited as the source of Al-Nassr interest, thought to have personally told the Saudi Pro League club to pursue Cucurella. It comes after Al-Nassr agreed a deal with Chelsea for the permanent transfer of Joao Felix, Ronaldo's Portugal teammate who has already started training with the club, despite no official announcement of his move.

DID YOU KNOW?

Cucurella made 54 appearances for Chelsea across the 2024-25 season, including nine in the UEFA Conference League and six in the FIFA Club World Cup. His 4,346 minutes on the pitch was the most out of anyone in the squad, leading Moises Caicedo (4,289) and Cole Palmer (4,247).

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WHAT NEXT?

Due to Club World Cup involvement, Chelsea only finished their 2024-25 season on July 13. The chance to rest for Cucurella and others will be very short, with a reported pre-season state date of August 4. The Blues have organised friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge on August 8 and 10, respectively, before their Premier League campaign begins against Crystal Palace just a week later - barely more than a month since lifting the Club World Cup trophy.