Chelsea have been slammed by club icon Frank Leboeuf for their “crazy” decision to spend more than £60million to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton last summer.
The left-back has struggled for form since making the move to Stamford Bridge and is in danger of losing his place to Ben Chilwell, who has returned to action following a lengthy injury layoff.
The player has continued to hold down a regular starting place at Stamford Bridge under ex-Brighton mentor Graham Potter, who initially brought him to England, and has earned 24 appearances this season.
But he has looked a shadow of the player he was last term and came under fire from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher after the Blues lost to Manchester City last month as the ex-Liverpool right-back claimed the left-back “doesn’t want to defend.”
Chilwell, who last started a Premier League game in mid-October when Manchester United visited Stamford Bridge, has been tipped the wrestle the left-back jersey away from Cucurella in the coming weeks.
“Some players have dips in form and there are different solutions in games,” the 47-year-old said.
You see a guy on the pitch and have a verdict but there are things going on in his life.
I know Marc well and at his best he is a top player.”
