‘He’s a beast’ – Enzo Fernandez sends warning to Arsenal over Chelsea team-mate

Enzo Fernandez has highlighted Marc Cucurella’s vital importance to Chelsea following the side’s 3-0 victory over ten-man Barcelona, describing his team-mate as a ‘beast’.

Chelsea blew Barca away in what felt like a statement win for Enzo Maresca’s side in the Champions League, with Estevao and Liam Delap both hitting the target after Jules Kounde had fired into his own net.

On any other night, teenage sensation Estevao would have been a shoo-in for the man-of-the-match award after producing the standout moment of quality to double Chelsea’ lead on a memorable night at Stamford Bridge.

But Cucurella deservedly went home with the prize after nullifying the threat of fellow countryman Lamine Yamal, something few full-backs have managed since the latter’s meteoric rise to prominence.

Wayne Rooney described Cucurella’s showing as the finest he had seen from a left-back ‘for a long, long time’ – and the legendary former Manchester United forward was not alone with his praise.

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez claimed Cucurella had Yamal ‘in his pocket’ for the most part in west London, with chants of, ‘You’re just a s*** Estevao’, directed at the Barca youngster from the stands.

The Spain defender will no doubt be looking to pick up where he left off when Chelsea return to Premier League action at home to top-of-the-table Arsenal on Sunday.

‘Obviously Marc is a beast,’ Fernandez said of Cucurella, a player many now consider to be the best left-back on the planet.

‘Having a team-mate like him around day-to-day is very special, he’s very funny and always in a good mood.

‘Aside from that, he trains very well, always wants to improve and for us.

‘It’s very important to have a defender of his quality.’

Fernandez is pleased Chelsea were able to showcase their ‘character’ on the big stage and believes Barcelona were asking for trouble with the ultra-high defensive line they played in the capital.

‘The truth is that we’re delighted with the result,’ the Argentina international added.

‘I think we put on a strong showing of our character, and as the minutes went by, we felt more and more comfortable in the match.

‘After Ronald Araujo’s sending off, Barcelona had to be more compact, which gave us more space, and that was when we were able to find the two goals at just the right time.

‘Their defensive line was very high. We knew the spaces were in behind, off the shoulder and we were able to find our striker in space many times.

‘That was the plan the manager prepared us for during the week. We improved as the game went on, and we ended up with a 3-0 win, which is an excellent result.’

While Fernandez has been keen to play down expectations of Chelsea going all the way in the Champions League, he acknowledges that he and the rest of the squad are in a very healthy place.

‘We’re just taking it step by step,’ he went on.

‘We don’t put ourselves in the position of a contender, even if we represent Chelsea, a really big club.

‘We have a great team, and we’re taking it one step at a time.’

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