Despite Chelsea fans cheering his substitution away at West Ham, Graham Potter continues to back Marc Cucurella.
The Blues paid £55 million for the Spanish full-back in the summer of 2022, with Potter parting ways with the 24-year-old defender at the time during his time in charge of Brighton.
Cucurella has struggled for form in 25 appearances for Chelsea and has yet to win over a skeptic fan base that cheered when his number was held up 67 minutes into a 1-1 derby draw at the London Stadium.
Although some Chelsea fans believe Cucurella is not good enough, Potter has come to Cucurella’s defense.
“I knew in the summer, because I was the selling club, that another club was interested in Marc.
They are a good club in the Premier League, so Marc hasn’t become a bad player, but some players go through bad times, so we need to stick together and help him. Supporters are entitled to their opinions, and there is nothing I can criticize. That is all we have to work with.”
Cucurella’s starting spot for Chelsea could be jeopardized, with England international Ben Chilwell, who replaced him against West Ham, nearing full match fitness after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Chelsea will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Borussia Dortmund for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.