07 February 2023 , 18:27
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Frank Leboeuf ordered Graham Potter to drop Marc Cucurella as he declared the defender "doesn't belong" in a Chelsea shirt.
Cucurella, 24, has struggled to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge after joining the Blues from Brighton in a transfer worth over £60million last August. The left-back has made 24 appearances in all competitions this season, playing a prominent role partly due to Ben Chilwell's injury woes.
Although Chelsea have shown signs of improvement at the back in recent fixtures, Cucurella has hardly lived up to his lofty price tag, failing to register a goal or assist since late August. The Spaniard's form has not picked up since former Seagulls boss Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in September, leaving Leboeuf in no doubt that he is "not good enough for Chelsea".
"Hopefully, Reece James and Ben Chilwell will go back into fitness ASAP, because we need them," Leboeuf, who made 144 Premier League appearances for the Blues, said on ESPN. "Because we don't want to see Cucurella anymore. With all due respect to a man that I don't know, the player is not good enough for Chelsea. It's as simple as that, you know. It's crazy that they signed him for £60m or £70m, but we can see that he doesn't belong to that level."
Leboeuf will not be pleased by the fact Cucurella was handed a six-year contract in west London, with Chelsea no strangers to handing out long-term deals under co-owner Todd Boehly. As for Chilwell, 26, the Englishman made his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury in last Friday's goalless draw against Fulham.
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The former Leicester left-back came off the bench in the closing stages and will hope for more minutes against West Ham this Saturday as he targets a return to full match sharpness. Chilwell has only started four games in all competitions this season and it remains to be seen which player Potter views as his first-choice left-back.
Is Marc Cucurella good enough for Chelsea? Have your say in the comments!
Marc Cucurella has underwhelmed following his big-money move to Chelsea (Getty Images)Speaking in January, Potter confessed Cucurella was grappling with some issues away from football which could have been impacting his performances. "Some players have dips in form and there are different solutions in games," Potter said.
"That is sometimes the case. [18-year-old left-back] Lewis Hall has done well and we have to manage his games and role because he is a young player just starting out. Marc has had a lot to deal with. I think it's been challenging for him. He's had some things off the pitch as well family-wise that have been difficult for him as well.
"There are many factors. 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."