Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has revealed that he has encouraged Spain teammate Nico Williams to join the club this summer.
Cucurella's agent Aleix Pique recently claimed that his client is "comfortable" at Chelsea after he put in a number of impressive performances in the latter stages of the 2023-24 season.
The 25-year-old has carried his fine form into Euro 2024, having proven to be a consistent performer in his five appearances during Spain's journey to Sunday's final against England.
Cucurella has struck up a strong partnership with Athletic Bilbao's Williams on the left flank, and it seems that the defender is keen to recreate that connection at club level.
The Chelsea man has jokingly admitted that he has been encouraging Williams to swap San Mames for Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella reveals Williams talks
Cucurella told The Athletic: "Without doing too much in the camp, we have created a very good relationship with Nico and in the end, these sorts of players need to feel comfortable and important.
"What I tell Nico all the time is that he has to do his thing, create whatever goes through his mind, and I'll be covering his back or doing anything he needs me to.
"I tell him every day he should come to Chelsea, he would help us a lot! He is more than welcome, and he knows that (laughed).
"But he is so young, he has to decide by himself and with his people, so it's not time to put too many things in his head."
Like Cucurella, Williams is among a number of Spain players who has earned plaudits for his role in Spain's Euro 2024 campaign.
The 22-year-old has started five of Spain's six matches in Germany, contributing a goal and an assist in the 4-1 win over Georgia in the last 16.
Will Williams leave Athletic Bilbao this summer?
Cucurella may be doing his utmost to convince Williams to join Chelsea, but Barcelona appear to be leading the race to prise the forward away from Athletic.
The Catalan giants have reportedly agreed personal terms with the player, although they are yet to trigger his €58m (£48.7m) release clause.
Athletic president Jon Uriarte recently criticised the Spanish Football Federation for failing to protect Williams from the questions that have been asked about his future in an "excessive and uncontrolled manner".
The Basque club are confident that they can fend off Williams's potential suitors to keep him at San Mames for the 2024-25 campaign.
Last season, the winger netted eight goals and provided 19 assists in 37 appearances in all competitions, helping Ernesto Valverde's side achieve a fifth-placed finish and lift the Copa del Rey. body check tags ::
