Jamie Redknapp has said he wouldn’t have liked to play against Marc Cucurella due to how much of a ‘pest’ he is on the field at Chelsea.
Cucurella has been an ever-present figure for the Blues this season, having made 26 appearances so far. He has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the world, delivering excellent performances.
During an appearance on _[Sky Sports](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PdG7TUPHZ0)_, Redknapp was made to pick his best starting XI of 2025. While Cucurella didn’t make it into Redknapp’s team, the former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder praised the Spaniard, noting that he’s won all Chelsea fans over.
> “Cucurella has been amazing. I really like him. You know, he’s one of those players if he played for your team, you would love him as a fan, you would love him. He’s won all the Chelsea fans over, but he’s not going to make my team,” he said.
Redknapp was then asked if he would hate to play against the defender.
> “Yeah,” he responded. “Lucky enough I didn’t play right wing, but he would be an absolute nuisance when he’s a pest, doesn’t he? Let’s be honest. You know, he kicks you, he fouls you, but very, very good, you know, and he’s done a great job at Chelsea.”
Most notably, Cucurella turned heads after keeping Lamine Yamal under wraps in the 3-0 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League in November. He joined the West London outfit from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 for a reported fee of €65.3 million.
**How many matches will Cucurella miss for Chelsea after red card in Fulham defeat?**
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The Blues’ red card misery piled up during Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat against Fulham after Cucurella was given his marching orders 22 minutes into the game. The 27-year-old received a red card for pulling back Harry Wilson, who was through on goal.
The punishment for a red card varies in English football, as the penalty can be as long as three match bans. However, Cucurella’s offense was deemed denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO), which attracts a one-match ban, and suspensions are served across all domestic competitions.
This means Cucurella will only miss Liam Rosenior’s first game in charge – a clash against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. As such, he will be available to play in the first leg of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
Cucurella’s red card was the Blues’ seventh across all competitions and their fifth in the Premier League.
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Edited by Ezekiel Olamide