In a touching show of humility and team spirit, Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has chosen to hand over his Man of the Match award to a teammate he felt was more deserving following their recent 1-0 win over Everton. Although Cucurella delivered an impressive performance himself, he believed goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was the true standout for his crucial saves late in the match.
The victory at Stamford Bridge was a vital one, strengthening Chelsea’s hopes of securing a top-five Premier League finish and a potential return to Champions League football. Nicolas Jackson ended his long goal drought with a well-taken goal in the 27th minute — his tenth of the season — while Chelsea controlled the first half. Everton mounted pressure in the second half, but Sánchez came up big, producing a series of important stops, including a spectacular save to deny McNeil, ultimately earning him the Player of the Match recognition.
Cucurella’s gesture reflects the strong camaraderie and mutual respect within the Chelsea dressing room, emphasizing the team-first mentality that has become a growing feature under their current setup.
This isn’t the first time Cucurella has publicly celebrated a teammate’s contributions. Earlier in the season, he praised Enzo Fernández after a strong showing against Leicester City, saying, “He’s a top professional who worked hard and truly deserved his performance today.”
Cucurella’s Chelsea journey has been one of resilience. Previously criticized and made a scapegoat for the club’s struggles, he has turned his fortunes around, becoming a fan favorite through consistent performances and a positive attitude. As one supporter put it, “He was THE scapegoat for like 18 months. Now he’s probably one of the most beloved players at the club. A genuinely inspiring story.”
As Chelsea’s campaign continues, the selflessness and unity shown by players like Cucurella and Sánchez will be key to pushing the team toward further success.
