EPL

Brighton 'confident and relaxed' on Cucurella future, says Potter

By Sports Desk July 30, 2022

Brighton and Hove Albion are "confident and relaxed" over the future of Marc Cucurella, as the Seagulls continue to wait and see if Manchester City will match their valuation.

The Premier League champions, who were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool in the Community Shield on Saturday, have been pursuing the defender as one of their major off-season transfer targets, having already brought Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips into the fold.

But a reported unwillingness to meet the £50million price tag set by Brighton on a player they signed last year has seen talks stall, leaving the ball firmly in City's court.

"There is not too much to say it is just part of modern-day football," Potter told reporters after seeing his side beat Espanyol in a friendly, with Cucurella missing out through an apparent calf issue.

"We are confident and relaxed in our position. We are just looking forward to the season starting and preparing the team."

Cucurella's absence on Saturday saw him perhaps dodge the ire of supporters, after he reportedly handed in a transfer request, but Potter feels fans will respect the player's eventual decision.

"I don't think people would do that," Potter stated. "I think people have a nice feeling for Marc [Cucurella], they understand the speculation and things that happen when the transfer window is open."

Related items

  • Al-Nassr 3-1 Al-Khaleej: Ronaldo nets twice and passes up penalty in cup semi-final Al-Nassr 3-1 Al-Khaleej: Ronaldo nets twice and passes up penalty in cup semi-final

    Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the scoresheet with two goals as Al-Nassr beat Al-Khaleej 3-1 to reach the final of the King Cup of Champions on Wednesday.

    Ronaldo scored either side of half-time as Al-Nassr teed up a final clash with Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal, who beat Al-Ittihad 2-1 in the other semi-final on Tuesday.

    The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star took advantage of an error from opposing goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic to open the scoring 17 minutes in, then tapped home at the second attempt to make it a double shortly before the hour mark.

    That goal could have made it a hat-trick for the Portugal star, but he passed up the chance to take a first-half penalty after Ivo Rodrigues handled in the area, Sadio Mane instead stepping up to blast his kick into the top corner. 

    Fawaz Al Terais was on target late on for Al-Khaleej, but that proved a mere consolation in a one-sided affair which saw Al-Nassr rack up 21 shots and 3.78 expected goals (xG), with their opponents managing just nine shots totalling 1.37 xG.

    Data Debrief: Ronaldo's mini drought over 

    Ronaldo was frustrated against Al-Khaleej in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday, but he was back on song against the same opponents on Wednesday to end his mini drought of two games.

    While Ronaldo's 43 touches were the fewest of any outfielder to start for Al-Nassr, he managed seven shots, five shots from inside the area and four dribbles – all game-high figures. 

  • Al Ittihad 1-2 Al Hilal: Holders into King's Cup final Al Ittihad 1-2 Al Hilal: Holders into King's Cup final

    Al Hilal overcame Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's red card as Saud Abdulhamid's late goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Al Ittihad in the King's Cup semi-finals.

    Without Karim Benzema, Al Ittihad ultimately lacked the firepower to make their numerical advantage count in Tuesday's clash.

    Former Lazio midfielder, who joined Al Hilal as part of their spending spree last year, received a straight red card in the 42nd minute.

    Al Ittihad's Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah cancelled out Micheal's opener, but Abdulhamid popped up with the winner in the 81st minute.

    Al Hilal are 10-time King's Cup winners, having won their 10th title last season.

    The Saudi Pro League leaders, who are still without the injured Neymar, will now face either Al Khaleej or Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the final at the end of May.

    Data Debrief: Malcom in the middle

    Al Hilal might be missing their star Brazilian Neymar, but his compatriot Malcom is delivering when it comes to playmaking.

    The former Zenit attacker set up both of Al Hilal's goals, creating three chances in total and registering a pass accuracy of 92.6 per cent, better than any of his team-mates.

  • Former Spain boss Del Bosque to oversee RFEF Former Spain boss Del Bosque to oversee RFEF

    Former Spain boss Vicente del Bosque will oversee a new committee supervising the RFEF.

    Spain, which is due to be one of six host countries for the 2030 World Cup, announced the creation of a special committee until the federation holds elections to replace Luis Rubiales.

    That is despite Pedro Rocha having this week been appointed as Rubiales' replacement, though he himself is under investigation amid a corruption probe.

    Rubiales was dismissed following his unsolicited kiss on Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup trophy ceremony in 2023.

    The federation's former president was then arrested in early April as part of a corruption investigation.

    Del Bosque led Spain to three consecutive trophies, winning the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, while also leading the team to their first World Cup success in 2010.

    Prior to his time with the national team, he also won two Champions Leagues and two LaLiga titles while in charge of Real Madrid, where he made over 400 appearances as a player. 

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.