Cucurella was among those to shine against Dortmund (Picture: Getty)
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has heaped praise on the ‘technically perfect’ Kai Havertz, also hailing the ‘fantastic’ Marc Cucurella having previously questioned the Spaniard’s future at the club.
Chelsea booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night, sealing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge to progress 2-1 on aggregate having seen off Borussia Dortmund.
Raheem Sterling provided the opening goal with Havertz sealing the win from the penalty spot in the second-half with the Germany international turning in a thrilling performance.
Having helped his side keep a clean sheet at home to Leeds on Saturday, Kadlidou Koulibaly once again impressed in the back with Cucurella, slotting in as part of a back three alongside the Senegal international, also enjoying a stellar performance.
Signed from Brighton in the summer in a deal that could rise to £64million, Cucurella has endured a tough first season at Stamford Bridge, jeered by Chelsea supporters after being replaced in the draw with West Ham United last month.
Former players have queued up to question what the Spaniard brings to the side, with Leboeuf himself slamming the club’s ‘crazy’ decision to sign him and insisting ‘he does not belong at that level.’
But Cucurella was one of three players singled out by the former France international, who hailed the improved performance from his old side.
Cucurella was named man of the match on Tuesday (Picture: Getty_
‘Finally, we have found a Chelsea team playing the way I would love the football to be played,’ Leboeuf told ESPN.
‘Going forward, not just trying to get the possession but going forward, forward fast. Cucurella, fantastic. Kai Havertz, fantastic.
‘He didn’t play as a striker, a great game, he tried a lot, he worked a lot, technically he was perfect.
‘Koulibaly, top of the top. Everybody was spot on. that is the Chelsea we want to see.
‘It is something I did not see for a while. A team not calculating too much, a team thinking of going forward, putting pace in the game.’
Chelsea will hope to maintain their improving form when they travel to Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.
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The former Blues defender named three players who stood out on Tuesday night.