Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca at Burnley.placeholder image
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca at Burnley. | AFP via Getty Images
The Spanish full back rises on the biggest occasions and could write himself into Chelsea history.
Chelsea winger Willian Estevao was the headline maker as he danced around the Barcelona defender and bagged his third Champions League goal in as many games but there was another Blues star who put in a world class performance.
Much has been made of Estevao stealing the show from Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal but that is now just down to the Brazilian. Yamal was kept quiet on the wing thanks to a superb performance from Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella.
The London outfit paid £63 million to sign the defender from Brighton in August 2022 and there had been some criticism over his performance in early years. Jamie Carragher previously claimed that Cucurella ‘didn’t want to defend’ in a defeat to Manchester City in January 2023 and poured scorn on his ‘schoolboy’ errors against Tottenham Hotspur in 2024.
Marc Cucurella maturing at heart of Chelsea defence
Fast forward to the current campaign and Cucurella is far from that. Week in, week out, his performances are mature and he offers so much to the team both defensively and when charging forwards on attack.
What’s more, the 27-year-old is starting to become a player who truly steps up in the big games. In the Euro 2024 final for Spain, Cucurella assisted the winning goal and had the most combined tackles and interceptions for his side across the tournament.
On Tuesday night, the defender rose to the occasion again. Few have kept Yamal as quiet as he did and, speaking after the game, Wayne Rooney told Amazon Prime: "Cucurella was absolutely incredible. I think it's probably the best performance I have seen from a left-back for a very long time. To do that tonight, what he did, that shows he's a serious player."
Chelsea have had some incredible full-backs over their history and it feels apt to compare Cucurella with Ashley Cole. The latter made himself a Chelsea legend having won the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, League Cup and four FA Cups with the club.
Ashley Cole and Cucurella both big game players
Cucurella is a way off that but, should he continue as he is now, there’s every reason to believe he can write a similar legacy. The defender already signed a contract extension with the club this summer, keeping him at the Bridge until 2028.
Cole and Cucurella also hold similarities in their playing style and love for the biggest of games. The retired defender turned in memorable defensive performances against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Arjen Robben and Ryan Giggs during his career.
In one quote, which perhaps echoes what Yamal must be thinking today, Ronaldo even once said: "Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole, he does not give you a second to breathe. He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game."
There’s still a lot for Cucurella to do to have his name held in the same respect as Cole but all the signs that he has the potential to do it are there.
In other news, Chelsea legend John Terry names the two teams left in Premier League title race as Liverpool and Man City slip up.
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