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.
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."
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."
Teaabdirty
424
Why would someone just open his wide mouth to talk rubbish in the name of podcaster, so you didn't notice that towards the end of last season almost all Chelsea players picked form. So he was inform before joining the national team
Hidlmopst
375
M.Richard should know that, change of club comes with challenge most times for most players. However, Marc Cucurela is one of the most improved players for Chelsea ending 2023/24 session. He became so consistent that one can see that he has cemented his place at Chelsea. I don't get where Micah and co are coming from. Cucurela is maturing and growing, period.
mukablmors
288
Richard nd co should keep shut, one of England pundit open his mouth wide at the beginning of euro that the only weak link in Spanish team is cucurela, so now is very good and outstanding, thank God is from Chelseafc, not from any club. England and their rubbish punditry.
tubbeinpty
157
That was a telescopic assessment of Chelsea and candid revelation about who Cucurella is. Chelsea was an embarrassment right from the day Roman Abramovich was tactically expelled from UK by the the British government. What happened to Chelsea was an unfair political plot against Roman and invariably against football; which shouldn’t be. The impact affected the players remarkably, and it went beyond one season. Hopefully, Chelsea will be back this 2024/25 season!👍🏽👍🏽