Marc Cucurella emphatically strikes back at Gary Neville's 'can't go all the way' jibe after Spain's Euro 2024 triumph
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella hit back at Manchester United legend Gary Neville after Spain's Euro 2024 final win against England on Sunday, July 14. La Roja were the better team and beat their opponents 2-1, with goals from Nico Williams (47') and Mikel Oyarzabal (86').
Before Spain's emphatic run in Euro 2024, Neville cast doubts over whether the team could go all the way with Cucurella at left-back. However, the pundit proved the pundit wrong by winning the tournament and starting six of the seven matches.
Neville said about Spain's chances with Cucurella as the first-choice left-back (via Fabrizio Romano):
"I think he (Cucurella) is one of the reasons I think they can't probably go all the way."
Responding to the earlier comments, Cucurella wrote on his Instagram story with a picture of him celebrating with the trophy:
"We went all the way Gary. Thank you for your support."
The left-footed defender also played a key part in the final, bagging the assist for Spain's late winner on the night. He delivered an expert cross, low and hard, at the near post for Oyarzabal top tap home.
Cucurella's good run of form will be a huge bonus for new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca once the Premier League season gets underway. However, his spot at left-back is far from guaranteed, with Ben Chilwell and Levi Colwill set to provide competition at Stamford Bridge.
Marc Cucurella reveals he is convincing Spain teammate to come to Chelsea after Euro 2024 final
With the international season coming to a close and the football calendar nearing the start of the club season, there is sufficient transfer talk going around. Spanish winger Nico Williams, who netted in the final of Euro 2024, has been linked with a move away from Athletic Bilbao.
He has heavily been rumored to move to Barcelona. However, claiming that he's convincing Williams to come to Chelsea, Marc Cucurella told The Athletic after the Euro 2024 final (via GOAL):
"I tell him every day he should come to Chelsea, he would help us a lot! He is more than welcome and he knows that (laughs). But he is so young, he has to decide by himself and with his people, so it's not my time to put too many things in his head."
The pair share the pitch on the left-hand side for Spain and have played eight matches together but are yet to bag a joint goal contribution.