"Played to his strengths" - Rio Ferdinand sends indirect tip to Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca about getting most out of Marc Cucurella
Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has lauded Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella for his excellent performances in a Spain shirt during the Euro 2024 campaign.
Marc Cucurella played a starring role in Spain’s 2024 European Championships glory on Sunday. It was his low cross-cum pass that set up substitute Mikel Oyarzabal’s winner against England late in the game, which handed La Roja the trophy in Berlin, Germany.
It has been clear for everyone to see why the Chelsea left-back/wing-back has really excelled at the Euros. It is no different for ex-player-turned-pundit Rio Ferdinand, highlighting Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s excellent managerial skills that got the best out of the 25-year-old in the recently concluded glitz and glamorous tournament.
“Cucurella this year was ridiculed by his own supporters at Chelsea, comes here and is arguably the best left-back in the tournament. He was played to his strengths,” Ferdinand told on BBC One (h/t Football London)
Cucurella has arguably been the Euros’ best left-back, not only impressing with his attacking traits but also defensive nous. The Alella-born star went on to start all but one of his nation’s games, performing as one of the best players of the tournament and helping Spain to lift their fourth European Championship. He didn’t let Luis de la Fuente down and carried his strong end of 2023/24 season form with Chelsea onto the international stage, underlining his credentials as a rounded left-back in his first major tournament for Spain.
Ferdinand’s statement is an indirect tip to new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca about how to get the best out of Cucurella, who has failed to live up to his true potential at Stamford Bridge since arriving from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2022.
Enzo Maresca guided Leicester City to top-flight promotion at the first time of asking earlier this summer, and Chelsea quickly decided to appoint him as their new head coach after sacking Mauricio Pochettino. The Italian tactician likes his full-backs to invert and help the team dominate possession and control the flow of the game, which will be music to Cucurella’s ears as it is exactly the same role he essayed under De la Fuente for Spain at the Euros.
Therefore, it would not be a surprise if Chelsea fans finally get to witness the best of Cucurella under the tutelage of Maresca. Spain played to the 25-year-old’s strengths and he thrived as an inverted left-back as a result, something Maresca may be inclined to do to revive Cucurella’s career at Chelsea.
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