CHELSEA were slammed by Micah Richards for turning Spain star Marc Cucurella into a “laughing stock”.
Cucurella, 25, has struggled at Stamford Bridge ever since his £62million move from Brighton in 2022.
However, the full-back has impressed during Euro 2024 and played a key role in the Furia Roja’s route to the final where they will face England on Sunday.
Richards, 36, praised the Spain international for his performances in Germany.
And the pundit blamed Chelsea for Cucurella’s struggles in the Premier League because they have been “so disorganised”.
The ex-Manchester City ace insists the Barcelona academy graduate has proven that when he’s part of an organised team he can deliver, just like he did at Brighton.
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Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast: “Marc Cucurella is a massive talking point.
“At Brighton he was in a system, he could play as one of three centre-backs or at full-back and would always go forward and join in attacks.
“He looked like a really good player. He went to Chelsea and because it was so disorganised, he became a bit of a laughing stock.
“But in this tournament he’s been one of the best full-backs.”
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Gary Lineker agreed with Richards as he also believes Cucurella has had a “really good tournament”.
Lineker added: “It just shows you that when a club is in disarray, players suffer and it becomes really hard to perform in those circumstances.
“He’s had a really good tournament.”
England vs Spain record
England have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…
- May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)
- December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)
- May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)
- November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)
- March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)
- March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)
- February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)
- September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)
- September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)
- October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
