‘Joao Pedro saved my life’ – Cucurella recounts Traore clash as awkward reunion follows

Marc Cucurella has played down his heated touchline clash with Adama Traore after the two shared an unexpected on-air reunion during a television interview.

The Chelsea defender was speaking to Catalan broadcaster 3Cat about the late incident in Saturday’s Premier League match against West Ham United when Traore appeared live on the same video call, moments after Cucurella joked that he might hesitate to greet the winger if they met on the street.

Flashpoint at Stamford Bridge

Tempers flared near the end of the game at Stamford Bridge when Traore and Cucurella tussled for the ball close to the touchline.

Traore threw Cucurella to the ground, prompting Chelsea forward Joao Pedro to rush in and confront the West Ham player.

The confrontation escalated into a mass brawl involving most players on the pitch. Once order was restored, West Ham defender Jean-Clair Todibo was shown a red card for grabbing Joao Pedro around the neck.

Reflecting on the incident, Cucurella admitted he played his part in provoking the situation.

“It was towards the end of the match, I put my body in a bit and we wrestled,” Cucurella said.

“There was a moment when I got up and saw I was very close to him, so I thought, ‘I’m going to stick my head in there to see if I can stir things up’. Then he grabbed me, threw me, and a big brawl broke out. These things happen.”

He added jokingly: “Joao Pedro saved my life, honestly. If I were Joao, I would have run backwards.”

Players move to defuse tension

The mood shifted when host Gerard Moreno invited Traore into the conversation. The West Ham winger was quick to dismiss any lingering hostility.

“It was in the heat of the moment, nothing more,” Traore said. “I know he’s a good guy and it’s nothing personal. It all stays on the pitch. I didn’t mean to do it, I just wanted to talk to the linesman.”

Cucurella responded light-heartedly, saying: “Now I’m calm because there’s a screen between us.”

Both players share a long history, having come through Barcelona’s La Masia academy and later featuring in the same Spain squad in November 2021.