insists remains in his plans this season amid speculation the left-back is set for a move to .
The Spanish defender joined the Blues 12 months ago following an eye-watering £63million transfer from Brighton but has struggled to come anywhere close to justifying that fee.
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which is rapidly approaching.
Cucurella, meanwhile, was given a frosty reception by his own fans at Stamford Bridge last night as Chelsea advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup where they will meet 25-year-old’s former club.
With no European football to look forward to this season, Pochettino is keen to streamline his squad still further but insisted he is, for now at least, still counting on Cucurella.
Asked for an update on his situation amid speculation a deal with United is nearing completion, Pochettino said: ‘I don’t know nothing. Maybe you know better than me.
‘All they players that are involved every day in the training ground who are training with us are in our plans.
‘And then, like you know, things happen because it is the decision of both parts, the player and the club, if something happens in the next few days we’ll communicate to you.’
On the prospect of facing Brighton, which has become something of a grudge match given the number of players and coaching staff who have swapped the south coast for west London in the last year, Pochettino added: Now is to think about Saturday’s game.
‘We will arrive at Brighton and talk about that. If you want to win the competition you should beat all of the teams otherwise it is impossible.
‘For me the same, Brighton we need to play and we play at home and when the moment arrives we will compete with them.’
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