Enzo Fernandez has issued a stark warning to Premier League leaders Arsenal, hailing Chelsea team-mate Marc Cucurella as an absolute 'beast' following a defensive masterclass in a stunning 3-0 Champions League victory over Barcelona.
Cucurella's Colossal Performance
The statement win for Enzo Maresca’s side at Stamford Bridge on November 27, 2025, was defined by Cucurella's phenomenal display. The Spanish left-back was awarded the man-of-the-match prize after completely nullifying the threat of his fellow countryman and Barcelona winger, Lamine Yamal.
Few defenders have managed to contain Yamal since his rapid ascent to stardom, making Cucurella's accomplishment all the more impressive. Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez even quipped that Cucurella had the young Barcelona prodigy 'in his pocket' for most of the match in west London.
Teammates and Pundits in Awe
The praise for the defender was universal. Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney described the performance as the finest he had witnessed from a left-back 'for a long, long time'.
Fernandez echoed this sentiment, expressing his admiration for his colleague. 'Obviously Marc is a beast,' the Argentine midfielder stated. 'Having a team-mate like him around day-to-day is very special. 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.'
Confidence High for Arsenal Clash
With Chelsea set to host table-topping Arsenal in a crucial Premier League fixture this Sunday, the timing of this morale-boosting win and Cucurella's return to peak form could not be better. The defender will be expected to pick up where he left off against another formidable attacking unit.
Reflecting on the comprehensive victory over Barcelona, Fernandez revealed the team's delight. 'The truth is that we’re delighted with the result,' he said. 'I think we put on a strong showing of our character. 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.'
He also credited the game plan from manager Maresca, explaining how the team exploited Barcelona's high defensive line, with goals coming from an own goal by Jules Kounde, followed by strikes from Estevao and Liam Delap.
While Fernandez was keen to temper expectations regarding Chelsea's Champions League ambitions, stating the team is taking it 'step by step', the confidence within the squad is palpable. All eyes will now be on Stamford Bridge this weekend to see if Cucurella can once again prove to be the decisive 'beast' on the pitch.
