Marc Cucurella has urged critics to assess Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid over the course of the season, rather than drawing conclusions from a difficult opening seven matches.
Real Madrid have lost two of their first seven LaLiga games, against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, according to ESPN. Those defeats have left them six points behind early leaders Barcelona, while the loss in the derby has increased scrutiny on Mourinho’s return to the dugout.
Cucurella accepts that the start has fallen below expectations but believes the results must be considered alongside the changes taking place at the club. The Spain international said Real Madrid are beginning a new project under Mourinho and need time to develop their identity.
He also pointed to the limited preparation available to several players before the campaign began. In his view, the team has not yet had enough time to settle, making it too early to judge the manager’s work on the basis of a handful of results.
The left-back is adapting to new surroundings himself after moving to Real Madrid from Chelsea in the summer in a deal worth €55 million ($62 million). He said the absence of a full pre-season, combined with the challenge of building relationships with new team-mates, had made the opening weeks demanding.
Cucurella targets Spain level at club
Cucurella’s early form for Real Madrid contrasts with his performances for Spain during the international break. He impressed in Nations League wins against England and Croatia, but acknowledged that he still has aspects of his club performances to improve.
His aim is to reproduce for Real Madrid the level he has shown while playing for Spain. That objective forms part of his own adjustment to the club, as well as the broader process of allowing Mourinho’s squad to take shape.
Spain were scheduled to play Czechia in Oviedo on Saturday 3 October before travelling to Croatia for a match on Tuesday 6 October.
Cucurella is also among the 30 nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or. He declined to choose between his Real Madrid team-mate Kylian Mbappe and Spain colleague Lamine Yamal, who are both candidates for the award.
For Mourinho’s side, the immediate priority is to respond on the pitch as the manager’s ideas are introduced. Cucurella’s view is not that the defeats by Real Betis and Atletico Madrid should be dismissed, but that their significance should be judged in the context of a team still adapting.
A full season, rather than seven matches, will provide a clearer assessment of the new Real Madrid project.
