“I probably wrote this lad’s Chelsea career off”- Harry Redknapp praises 25-year-old star for performance in Arsenal draw

Harry Redknapp full of praise for the performance of Marc Cucurella in Arsenal draw

The recent draw between Chelsea and Arsenal saw Marc Cucurella, a 25-year-old Blues star, receiving praise for his performance from Harry Redknapp.

This praise comes after a tumultuous summer where Cucurella seemed on the verge of exiting Chelsea, amidst a mass exodus. However, a move away from Stamford Bridge did not materialize, which turned out to be fortuitous for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, especially when a double issue at right-back arose.

With both Malo Gusto and Reece James unavailable, Cucurella stepped up, putting up admirable performances against Fulham and Burnley, earning him a spot in Redknapp’s Premier League team of the week.

Mauricio Pochettino lauds Chelsea star Marc Cucurella for pocketing Bukayo Saka vs Arsenal.
Mauricio Pochettino lauds Chelsea star Marc Cucurella for pocketing Bukayo Saka vs Arsenal. (Photo by DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Marc Cucurella’s recent performance in the Arsenal draw was highlighted as his best in a Chelsea shirt. He managed to shut down Bukayo Saka for the most part, although some critics argue he should have closed down on the winger which led to Trossard’s equalizer for Arsenal.

The draw left Marc Cucurella and the Chelsea squad “angry” as they had initially secured a 2-0 lead, only to see it vanish by full-time. It is understandable for the players to be disappointed in drawing a game from a winning position.

Speaking about the situation, here is what Redknapp had to say about Cucurella’s performance with Arsenal as quoted by Football. LondonBetVictor Brand Ambassador, via Premier League Odds)

“I’ve not picked Cucurella often over the last season or so but he’s getting in my side this week. I’ll be honest, I probably wrote this lad’s Chelsea career off, but he was excellent at the weekend. He kept Saka quiet all game, that’s not an easy thing to do. He’s had a difficult time at the club, but they spent that money on him for a reason, and he’s beginning to show it.”

Marc Cucurella is a talented left-back who can also play on the right (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Marc Cucurella is a talented left-back who can also play on the right (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Cucurella’s journey at Chelsea illustrates a narrative of redemption and the importance of seizing opportunities when presented. His performance in recent games has shown his capability to fill in gaps within the squad, demonstrating a level of versatility and resilience.

Cucurella’s presence in Chelsea’s backline during critical moments like the Arsenal draw underlines the kind of depth and options available to Mauricio Pochettino, which will be crucial as the season progresses.

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Now, as Chelsea navigate through the rest of the season, the performances of players like Cucurella could very well dictate the level of success the Blues attain.