MARC CUCURELLA stunned Chelsea fans as much as Borussia Dortmund by returning to “deliver a masterclass in our biggest game of the season”.
The recalled left-back was Uefa’s player of the match ahead of Chelsea’s goalscorers as the Blues reached the Champions League last eight.
Raheem Sterling and Havertz clinched a 2-0 win for a 2-1 aggregate success over the second-placed Bundesliga side.
And Cucurella, as as well as Chelsea supporters, hope this could be a huge turning point for the £62million ex-Brighton hero.
The Spaniard was burgled soon after arriving at Stamford Bridge last August.
And his form has stuttered along with Chelsea’s, even after his former Brighton boss Graham Potter succeeded Thomas Tuchel in September.
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But fans raved after his lively display against German giants Dortmund.
One said: “Poor performances, heavy price tag, fairly & unfairly criticised, out the squad for 3 games in a row, comes straight into the XI & delivers a masterclass in our biggest game of the season. Marc Cucurella.”
Another posted: “Man of the match today was constantly supporting Chilwell and Koulibaly at the same time.”
A third supporter wrote: “I would have picked Havertz myself but can’t begrudge Cucurella for winning the award.
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“Wonderful to see in a difficult season for him on and off the field.”
And despite Chelsea including expensive recruits like Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez, unsung Blues were singled out too.
Such comments included: “Kovacic and Chilwell were my man of the matches. Kepa was also great.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk