A new report from Spanish outlet Marca claims that Jose Mourinho made a direct, personal effort to secure the services of Marc Cucurella. According to the information circulating, Mourinho personally called Cucurella on Friday and delivered a clear message about where the defender fit in his plans.
The central detail of the story is Mourinho’s stated stance: he wanted Cucurella specifically for his project. The report adds that Mourinho told the player, in essence, that it was Cucurella or nothing—underscoring both the intensity of his interest and the importance he attached to the transfer or squad decision. The quoted message, attributed to Mourinho’s conversation, frames Cucurella as the one target who would make Mourinho’s plan work.
While the headline and framing emphasize Mourinho’s confidence and decisiveness, the story’s significance lies in what it suggests about the structure of Mourinho’s approach to squad building. Rather than keeping recruitment interest at arm’s length, the account portrays a manager who invested personal time to speak directly with a player. That kind of communication typically indicates a high level of priority, especially in high-profile football recruitment where targets often hear from multiple clubs and agents.
Marca’s report positions Mourinho’s call as an attempt to shape Cucurella’s thinking and strengthen the likelihood of a move. The wording attributed to Mourinho points toward a recruitment strategy where Cucurella is treated as central to the manager’s vision. In transfer windows, such direct communication can be used to persuade the player that the manager truly wants him for a role, not merely as a backup option.
In terms of implications, the reported conversation may signal that negotiations—if they are underway—could be guided by a clear managerial demand. Mourinho’s claim of exclusivity in the plan (“you or no one”) hints at the possibility that the manager has either identified Cucurella as the ideal profile or has decided that other options would not meet the tactical or character requirements he is looking for.
The story also highlights Mourinho’s personal involvement at the player level. This can matter for Cucurella, since players often weigh a manager’s interest, the clarity of the role offered, and the confidence demonstrated by leadership. If Mourinho’s message was as direct as reported, it may have increased pressure on both the player and any involved clubs to reach a solution that aligns with the manager’s preference.
It is important to note, however, that the information provided here centers on the reported call and the message attributed to Mourinho. The account does not, in this extract, lay out full contractual terms, timeline details, or specific transfer figures. Instead, it focuses on Mourinho’s personal commitment and the emphasis on Cucurella’s place in the project.
Even without additional specifics, the narrative carries clear sports news value: a top-tier manager speaking directly to a targeted player, delivered with strong language, typically signals an effort to accelerate decisions. Such actions can influence the direction of talks, the player’s willingness to consider a move, and the overall negotiation leverage, particularly if other interested parties exist.
Overall, the report paints a picture of Mourinho as deeply invested in Cucurella’s recruitment, using direct communication to convey not just interest, but a near-absolute priority. By reportedly telling Cucurella that he wants him for his project and that it is “you or no one,” Mourinho is portrayed as making Cucurella a decisive piece in his plans. This makes the reported call a notable development for anyone following both Mourinho’s managerial trajectory and Cucurella’s future.
Source: Marca
Madrid Xtra: 🚨 BREAKING: José Mourinho PERSONALLY called Marc Cucurella on FRIDAY, he told him: “I WANT YOU IN MY PROJECT, IT IS YOU OR NO ONE.” @marca 🇪🇸. #breaking
— @MadridXtra May 1, 2026
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