I wanted to join Man City when Pep Guardiola called - now I play for their title rivals

Manchester City were believed to be keen on the Chelsea before he moved to Stamford Bridge from Brighton and Hove Albion

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella insisted he was very keen to join Manchester City while playing for Brighton and Hove Albion but the deal fell through. The Spaniard was one of the most in-demand players in the Premier League while emerging on the south coast.

Cucurella spent just one season at Brighton but impressed sufficiently for the big clubs in the English top flight to show interest. At the time, City had identified the left-back role as an area which needed fixing. Joao Cancelo was filling in on the left flank, but as a more comfortable right-back, this was only a temporary solution.

Speaking to Informe (via GOAL), Cucurella admitted he worked hard to try and push through the move to the Etihad Stadium but it wasn't to be. He said: "Man City wanted me before I joined Chelsea.

"They were on fire, one of the best teams in the world. I wanted to go.

"When they come like they did, when [Pep] Guardiola asks, you’ll go on your knees if necessary. But the clubs couldn’t reach an agreement."

Eventually, Cucurella would gain his move away from the AMEX Stadium as Chelsea stumped up the cash to complete his move from Brighton. The transfer, which was finalised in August 2022, saw Chelsea spend in excess of £60m on the Spanish defender.

The move has since proven to be a success for Chelsea as Cucurella has enjoyed great performances for both club and country. The 27-year-old has been an ever-present this season, playing every Premier League game as Enzo Maresca's men look to challenge City and Arsenal for the title this season.

His time at Stamford Bridge still has three years to run, but Cucurella has admitted his club are already beginning talks surrounding an extension to that deal.

He told BBC Sport at the start of the season: "Yes, it's [the contract renewal] done. We already did it. I'm very happy, the club gave me the confidence and I'm very happy to be here. Hopefully, I will have a great year."

These days, it is Nico O'Reilly holding down the left-back position for City. The academy graduate came through the Blues system as a central midfielder but has found a home in the first team on the left side of the defence.

Speaking prior to the Fulham win, he said: "I feel like I’m improving [in the left-back role]. It’s not just a traditional left-back role – it’s a lot more complicated than that. It’s going inside, going on the wing, making runs into the box, defending in the back four and keeping a high line.

"There’s a lot of things that go into it and it’s very tactical. I’m helping and giving the team an extra body for crosses and getting passes into the box.

"There’s also a lot of running up and down the flank – I’m enjoying it." O'Reilly has played the full 90 minutes in every Premier League game since the victory over Bournemouth at the start of November.

Cucurella will come up against City at the beginning of January when Chelsea travel to the Etihad Stadium.