Chelsea defender tipped to replace Liverpool star as the ‘best in the league’

William Gallas has backed Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella to become the ‘best left-back in the Premier League’ within two years. Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea spent over £60m to sign Spain international Cucurella from Premier League rivals Brighton in 2022.

Pundits questioned not only Chelsea’s decision to spend big on a full-back but also whether Cucurella could emerge as a key player at Stamford Bridge after just one mixed season on the south coast. But Cucurella has in fact been a mainstay in the Chelsea team over the past three seasons, making 87 appearances for the Blues and only missing two league games this season.

Cucurella, who helped Spain with Euro 2024 last summer, has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent players and Gallas believes he has the talent to become the ‘best left-back’ in England. Liverpool’s Andy Robertson has held that accolade for almost a decade butthe Scot’s performances have dropped off this season and he has been tipped to leave Anfield in the summer.

‘Although he isn’t there yet, Marc Cucurella can be the best left-back in the Premier League,’ Gallas told Slingo. ‘He is 26 so I think he has two years to reach his peak, I think at the moment you could still look at Andy Robertson at Liverpool as the left-back to follow but since the Euros, Cucurella has confidence and we’ve seen some really good performances.

‘Give him two years and Marc Cucurella could be the best in the Premier League.’. Cucurella’s form helped Chelsea emerge as surprise title contenders in the first-half of the season but Enzo Maresca’s side have since slipped to sixth, with Champions League football now in jeopdardy.

‘Looking at Chelsea’s defence, the bad run of form hasn’t surprised me,’ Gallas added. ‘Losing again against Brighton just showed me again that they lack leaders. ‘They struggle to defend as a team, there’s a lack of communication, it makes things so difficult to win games when you play against anyone who is organised.

‘I think Manchester City will overtake Nottingham Forest into third, I think it’s a battle between Forest and Chelsea for fourth. ‘Chelsea at the moment look like they are going to finish fifth, they don’t have Nicolas Jackson and the players are really short on confidence.

‘The manager looks confused at the moment and can’t seem to find a solution. Chelsea need to be careful because they could slip even lower.’. Chelsea travel to Birmingham on Saturday evening to take on an Aston Villa side who have gone five Premier League games without a win.

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