Reece James ‘Devastated’ by Marc Cucurella’s £52m Real Madrid Transfer as Chelsea Captain Backs Xabi Alonso Era

Chelsea captain Reece James has described himself as “devastated” by the departure of Marc Cucurella, after the Spanish left-back completed a £52 million transfer to Real Madrid — a move that surprised many observers given the player had also been linked with Atletico Madrid and boyhood club Barcelona.

Cucurella had attracted interest from several top European clubs before ultimately choosing to join Real Madrid, Chelsea’s decision to sell one of their key defensive assets representing a significant shift in the squad ahead of what promises to be a transitional period at Stamford Bridge.

James, speaking publicly about the exit, paid tribute to the quality of his former teammate while acknowledging the transient nature of the modern game. “I spoke with him a few days ago. He’s obviously an amazing player, one of the best left-backs in the world,” the Chelsea skipper said. “This is his football, you know, players move every few months, and I’m devastated to see him go, but I wish him all the best.”

The departure of Cucurella is a notable blow for Chelsea, who invested heavily in the defender after signing him from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2022 in a deal reported at the time to be worth around £62 million. His exit for £52 million underlines the financial recalibrations the club continues to navigate under its current ownership structure.

Despite the loss, James shifted focus toward the future, specifically the arrival of Xabi Alonso as the club’s new manager. The former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder — widely regarded as one of the most promising managerial talents in Europe following his work at Bayer Leverkusen — is set to take charge at Stamford Bridge, and James confirmed the two have already been in contact.

Speaking to talkSPORT, James said: “We’ve spoken a couple of times on the phone. I haven’t met him in person yet. Everyone I’ve spoken to about him says he’s an amazing, amazing manager. I know him more from his playing career. You know, he had an amazing career, and now I’m excited to welcome him.”

James drew a parallel between Alonso’s appointment and his earlier experience working under club legend Frank Lampard, framing Alonso as another of his childhood heroes now stepping into the dugout. Alonso guided Bayer Leverkusen to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga title in the 2023-24 season before departing the German club ahead of his move to West London.

For Chelsea, the summer of 2026 appears to be one of considerable reshaping. The sale of Cucurella and the appointment of Alonso signal a new direction under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership, with James — now firmly established as captain — expected to play a central role in bridging the transition between eras at the club.