Ben Chilwell speaks out on Chelsea’s decision to sign Marc Cucurella

Ben Chilwell insists he is unfazed by competition from new Chelsea signing Marc Cucurella and says they will ‘push each other’ to higher levels.

Chelsea spent more than £60m to sign Spanish defender Cucurella from Brighton, with the 24-year-old signing a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The deal raised eyebrows as Chelsea already have England international Chilwell in the left-back position, with Arsenal legend Martin Keown and Manchester United hero Gary Neville among those to question the signing.

Asked about Cucurella’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, Chilwell said: ‘We’re at Chelsea so there’s going to be a lot of good players here.

‘Competition for places is going to be fierce and obviously we’re going to push each other the same as everyone else in the team.’

Cucurella, Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly all made their Chelsea debuts in the club’s Premier League opener against Everton on Saturday.

‘They all did really well,’ Chilwell added after Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Goodison Park. ‘They impacted the game really positively so we’re very happy to have all of them.

‘They’re going to help us a lot this season because they’re three really good signings.’

Chilwell made a brief cameo on the final day of last season but made his first start since November against Everton as he completed his long-awaited recovery from injury.

He said: ‘I’m feeling good and ready. Obviously it’s my first game in the Premier League for a long time so I’m very happy to be back, it’s the best feeling in the world.

‘I’ve been out for a long time so to come back into the Premier League and have an impact winning a penalty for the team to get the win was a really nice feeling.

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