MARC CUCURELLA does have massive hair but he doesn’t like lager . . .
That simple message is unlikely to prompt a rethink of the chant being sung in praise of the Spanish defender having frizzy locks and a thirst for Estrella, who has become an acquired taste like the famous beer from his homeland.
After a difficult start at Stamford Bridge, Cucurella is regarded as a versatile left-back and goalscoring midfielder.
Blues fans have been loving his displays as they sing: ‘He eats paella, he drinks Estrella, his hair’s f***ing massive.’
That chant in his honour — to the tune of La Bamba — has come from the stands more frequently in recent weeks.
Grinning widely, Cucurella, 26, joked: “I don’t like Estrella, I don’t like the beer, I don’t like wine. I tried it but don’t like it.
“For a Spanish person it is strange — but it’s the truth. I only like vodka.”
There is no doubt that despite the jokes and even though he does not like wine, the dedicated pro has matured like a good vintage from any vineyard back home.
A burglary at his home soon after joining Chelsea in August 2022 hampered attempts to settle in — but that is in the distant past now.
Cucurella is quite short — a half pint if you like — but is full of character and spikiness when it comes to the Chelsea cause.
It is a huge turnaround from his first season when personal problems and the transition of leaving Brighton to become a key signing in an experimental, but expensive squad affected his confidence.
The £55million transfer fee was questioned. His quality and durability doubted.
But Cucurella is now a major weapon in the Chelsea armoury.
He has scored six goals this season — impressive for a full-back.
And all coming since mid-December when head coach Enzo Maresca began tinkering with his team and pushed Cucurella upfield.
He now slots in midfield when Chelsea are on the offensive and has scored twice as many goals as star forward Cole Palmer since that point in time when the manager switched tactics.
Ahead of hosting Liverpool on Sunday, Cucurella said: “I feel very proud because when I joined it was tough.
“It was my first season and I tried to work hard, not say anything, work in silence.
“I know my qualities, my family believe in me. So I try to work hard every day, show my qualities in training.
“And then when I have the opportunity, I try to do it in the games. Now my team-mates and staff give me confidence.”
Cucurella is urging team-mates to use the awkward moment of forming a guard of honour for Liverpool as inspiration for future glory.
Tradition demands the newly-crowned Premier League champions are afforded an official tribute from their next opponents after winning the title.
It is a painful experience applauding a rival team but defender Cucurella hopes it can put fire in the bellies of the Chelsea players dreaming of one day being on the receiving end.
The Spaniard said: “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.
“Once the game starts we go for our objectives. We try to fight with everything and fight for the three points.
“I don’t remember doing one before, this is the first time. Hopefully, we can have this as well in the next few years.
“It’s what we are fighting for and what we are trying to do.”
We train every day for winning every game, for playing these important games… and we start to build something important.
Marc Cucurella
Chelsea players had to endure the embarrassment of forming a guard of honour at Stamford Bridge when Leicester won the title in 2016.
Blues stars such as Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta were forced to bow down before the Foxes on their home turf.
Not easy for a bunch of players who were ruthless and serial winners — a mentality that current Blues boss Maresca is trying to reintroduce.
First step is bidding to win the Conference League — and Chelsea have one foot in the final after trouncing hopeless Swedes Djurgardens 4-1 on Thursday in their semi-final first leg.
And Cucurella added: “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.”
Liverpool have lost only two Premier League games on their march to a record-equalling 20th league title.
Chelsea are 22 points adrift of them, have suffered eight losses in the league and dropped points against lowly teams like relegated Ipswich.
Maresca is sweating on the fitness of keeper Robert Sanchez while he has been monitoring forward Christopher Nkunku ahead of this afternoon’s game.
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