I nearly spat out my morning coffee when I heard this one. Our curly-haired Spanish defender Marc Cucurella – subject of that catchy La Bamba-inspired chant echoing around Stamford Bridge lately – has just dropped a bombshell that's honestly left me questioning everything I thought I knew about Spaniards.
He doesn't like Estrella.
Let that sink in for a second.
The Vodka-Loving Spaniard Who Defies Stereotypes
With that massive mop of frizzy hair bouncing around as he charges up and down the left flank, Cucurella has become something of a cult hero at Chelsea. The fans absolutely adore him, belting out "He eats paella, he drinks Estrella, his hair's f***ing massive" with increasing frequency as his performances continue to impress.
But here's teh kicker – the man himself is laughing at the irony of it all.
"I don't like Estrella, I don't like beer, I don't like wine. I tried it but don't like it," he told us with that trademark grin spreading across his face. "For a Spanish person it is strange – but it's the truth. I only like vodka."
A Spaniard who doesn't enjoy wine or beer? Next you'll be telling me Italians who hate pasta exist. My Spanish colleague nearly had an existential crisis when I texted him this revelation. His response: "Turn in your Spanish passport, Marc!"
From £55M Question Mark to Midfield Weapon
Back in 2022 when Chelsea splashed £55M on Cucurella, I remember the collective eyebrow-raising across football. That first season was rough – and I mean ROUGH. The poor guy couldn't catch a break. His home was burglarized shortly after moving, the team was in chaos, and fans were questioning if we'd wasted another massive transfer fee on a dud.
God. Those were dark days at the Bridge.
Fast forward to now, and what a transformation. Maresca's tactical tweak in December, pushing Cucurella further upfield, has unlocked something nobody saw coming. Six goals since mid-December – that's TWICE as many as Cole Palmer in that timeframe. From a defender!
Wait... Is He Actually Better Than Palmer Now?
I'm not saying that. Not seriously anyway. But the numbers don't lie.
Remember when we all thought his only contribution would be that massive head of hair? Now he's scoring goals for fun and becoming an integral part of Chelsea's attacking play. The same guy many wanted shipped out last summer.
I spent $120 on a new Chelsea shirt last month and seriously considered getting Cucurella on the back. That's how much my opinion has changed since 2023.
The Awkward Guard of Honor Nobody Wants to Talk About
There's an elephant in the room ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool. And it's wearing a Premier League champions medal.
Tradition dictates that Chelsea players will need to form that dreaded guard of honor for the newly-crowned champions at Stamford Bridge. It's about as comfortable as running into your ex while on a bad date.
Cucurella, ever the professional, is trying to spin it positively: "They deserve it because they have been there all season. If we need to do it, we do it. This is before the game. It is a process and is not important."
He added with a hint of determination in his voice, "Hopefully, we can have this as well in the next few years. It's what we are fighting for adn what we are trying to do."
I remember watching Chelsea players form that guard for Leicester back in 2016. The looks on Hazard's and Azpilicueta's faces... pure agony mixed with envy. That's the kind of fire Maresca is trying to reignite.
The Conference League: Not Sexy, But It's Something
Listen. We're not where we want to be yet. Twenty-two points behind Liverpool tells its own story.
But Thursday's 4-1 demolition of Djurgardens (who were absolutely dreadful, if I'm being honest) puts one Chelsea foot firmly in the Conference League final. Not exactly the Champions League glory we crave, but it's silverware. It's a foundation.
As Cucurella puts it: "We train every day for winning every game, for playing these important games, reach finals, play for titles. This is our main objective and we start to build something important."
For a guy who doesn't drink beer, he's certainly intoxicating Chelsea fans with his performances lately. Maybe we need to update that chant...
He eats paella, he drinks vodka neat, his hair's f***ing massive?
Doesn't quite have the same ring to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you determine the Premier League champion?
The Premier League champion is the one who has the most points in the 38 game season. Three points are awarded for each win, while one point is given for a tie and none for a defeat. If both teams end the season on the same number points, the champion will be determined based on the goal differential and if required, by the number of goals. If the teams are still level, a playoff at a neutral venue may be used to decide the title, although this scenario has never occurred in Premier League history.
What happens when a Premier League team is relegated to the bottom?
At the end each Premier League, teams who finish in the lowest three positions on the league table, are relegated down to the Championship. The Championship is the second level of English Football. The Championship is the second tier of English football.
What is the Premier League?
Premier League, the highest-level football league in England, is also one of the best and most popular leagues in domestic football. The Premier League is played by 20 teams, and it operates under a promotion-relegation system with the English Football League. The teams play 38 matches each year (home and abroad), with the season running typically from August until May. The Premier League is renowned for its international star players and high-quality soccer.
Can you describe the concept of a 'Big Six in the Premier League'?
The 'Big Six’ refers a grouping of Premier League's most influential and successful clubs over the past few years. Manchester United is usually included, as are Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur may also be on the list. These teams have a reputation for a consistently high performance, a huge fan base and financial strength, as well as qualifying frequently for European competitions.
How does Premier League affect the English national team?
The Premier League has a big role to play in the development and growth of English football talent. Many players from the league are selected for the English national team, contributing to international competitions with their skills and experience. The league's competitive nature and the quality of its players are believed to benefit the national team. There have been discussions about the league's large number of non-English players, and their impact on English players who want to play first-team regular football.
Statistics
- Petr Čech set a remarkable defensive record during the 2004-2005 season with 24 clean sheets, the most by a goalkeeper in a single Premier League season.
- The 2018–19 season saw Manchester City accumulate a staggering 100 points, setting the record for the highest total in Premier League history.
- Alan Shearer is the all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 260 goals across his stellar career.
- Durability is exemplified by Gareth Barry who made an impressive 653 Premier League appearances, the highest number to date.
- Arsenal boasts an unbeaten streak of 49 Premier League matches from May 2003 to October 2004, the longest in the history of the league.
External Links
How To
How To Stream Premier League Games Online
The Premier League is now available online via multiple platforms. Start by signing up for a service that offers Premier League coverage, such as NBC Sports in the United States or Sky Sports and BT Sport in the UK. You will need a stable connection to stream high-quality content. Many services provide mobile apps to allow you watch games while traveling. Verify that the content you want to watch is legal and does not have any restrictions.
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