Marc Cucurella has been included in Harry Redknapp’s Premier League Team of the Week following his performance for Chelsea in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last Saturday.
Cucurella held his own against Bukayo Saka, denying the Arsenal star a chance to threaten Robert Sanchez until late in the game, when he managed to cross the ball that led to the visitors’ equalising goal at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard has also played as a right-back for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in the absences of Reece James and Malo Gusto.
Redknapp said 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.”
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino has said he’s counting on Cucurella for the rest of the season.
“It’s clear when we arrived here, some players were in a position to maybe stay or go. Marc, he and the club decide to stay,” Blues coach Mauricio Pochettino added on Cucurella at the weekend.
“He is training well and that is why he is playing well today against Saka.
“He deserves the credit, he was able to play on the right side.”