Jason Cundy has paid huge credit to one Chelsea star by saying he’s been the club’s second-best player this season alongside Cole Palmer.
In the current Chelsea squad, there are a number of Blues stars that have impressed under Enzo Maresca’s management.
Cole Palmer, who’s the talisman at Stamford Bridge, has been key yet again during his second campaign in Chelsea colours. Even though the 22-year-old attacker’s currently on a run of nine games across all competitions without scoring, he still carried the side in earlier parts of the season.
John Obi Mikel applauded Palmer for playing in Chelsea’s weekend win over Leicester City in the Premier League despite a recent illness.
Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images
Jason Cundy claims Marc Cucurella has been as good as Cole Palmer for Chelsea
TalkSPORT pundit and Blues fan Jason Cundy has waxed lyrical about the impact of Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella, 26, at Stamford Bridge this season.
While Moises Caicedo would get his vote right now for the club’s player of the year, he’d rank Cucurella and Palmer together in second.
Cundy told talkSPORT: “Cucurella gives us personality. I know he’s a pantomime villain; people love to hate him; he’s got the big bushy locks. Yeah, he plays, he gets hit, and goes down; he’s got all that about him. But what he has got about him is that he’s got a bit of spirit, and he’s got heart and gives you everything. If he isn’t playing well, it’s not down to the lack of determination or effort.
“He’s come up with some big moments. [Moises] Caicedo is going to win player of the year, but Cucurella is firmly in second for me alongside [Cole] Palmer.”
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We agree that Cucurella has been one of the most consistent and impressive performers at Chelsea in the 2024/25 campaign so far.
Maresca has praised Cucurella’s intelligence because of the positions he takes up on the pitch. While it may say he’s a left-back on the team sheet, it’s not uncommon to see him popping up deep in the opposition’s half, whether that’s wide or more central pockets.
He’s usually a target for the opposition supporters because of the way he plays the game, but the Chelsea supporters must love the edge he shows with for them.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Marc Cucurella has discovered goalscoring knack from nowhere
The biggest surprise in Cucurella’s improved form this season has been his attacking contributions, scoring five times across all competitions.
As you can see below, it’s his best return in front of goal during his senior career…
Season Club Appearances Goals
2024/25 (Current) Chelsea 32 5
2023/24 Chelsea 26 1
2022/23 Chelsea 33 0
2021/22 Brighton/Getafe 39 1
2020/21 Getafe 39 3
2019/20 Getafe 46 1
2018/19 Eibar 33 2
Marc Cucurella statistics via Transfermarkt
Speaking after his match-winning strike versus Leicester at the weekend, Cucurella insisted he can become more clinical as an attacking option.
It’s becoming more obvious that the Spain international is one of the most influential players on the pitch for Chelsea, both in and out of possession. He’s going to be key from now until the end of the season in helping the team achieve their goals.