Gary Neville takes pot shot at Todd Boehly and Chelsea during ITV's Euro 2024 coverage
Manchester United legend Gary Neville took a surprise swipe at Chelsea during ITV's coverage of Spain vs Croatia at Euro 2024.
Neville, best known for his work on Sky Sports, is part of the ITV team for the tournament, alongside the likes of Roy Keane, Graeme Souness and Ian Wright. He lined up with the foremost and the latter of the trio for the third game of the Euros; a repeat of the 2023 Nations League final.
The esteemed group, along with host Mark Pougatch, chatted before the match about Spain's merits as genuine contenders at the Euros this summer. Despite boasting the likes of Rodri and Lamine Yamal, the 2008 and 2012 champions aren't considered among the real favourites by the bookmakers.
Neville doesn't rate their chances if they stick with Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella at left-back after he was given the nod in their opening game against Croatia. Cucurella was an expensive purchase for the Blues from Brighton in 2022, costing £60million.
It's something Neville hasn't forgotten as he assessed whether Spain can go all the way in Germany. "I didn't think he'd play," Neville began.
"He's not been convincing at Chelsea, he's played a few games towards the end of the season. He's aggressive, he's tenacious, he's a busy little full back, that price tag still astounds every body, I think, still to this day."
marc cucurella of chelsea
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He continued: "The Spanish defence has a lot of experience now, obviously. But there's something just missing from Spain that makes you feel like they're going to go all the way, and I have to say him being at left-back is another example of why we think that."
Cucurella's performances for Chelsea have been mixed since he made the switch from the south coast. He has made 59 appearances for the Blues, although only 26 of them came last season.
The 25-year-old is one of a number of big money signings since the takeover of Todd Boehly that haven't quite worked out. Neville isn't the only who is astounded at Cucurella's enormous price tag.
Speaking last year, former Stamford Bridge star Frank Leboeuf expressed his surprise at the defender's transfer fee. "With all due respect to a man that I don’t know, the player is not good enough for Chelsea," he said.
"It’s as simple as that. It’s crazy that they signed him for £60m or £70m, but we can see that he doesn’t belong to this level."
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