Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has criticized Marc Cucurella after Chelsea lost in the Champions League against Real Madrid.
The wing-back, who can also play in central defense, has struggled in his first season with the Blues.
Cucurella, a summer signing from Brighton, was at fault for an incident that eventually led to a Ben Chilwell red card in a 2-0 first leg quarter final loss against Real on Wednesday.
When you play in Europe, it feels different from playing in the Premier League. At times it's slower it almost feels like a charity game! Look at everyone, how slow everyone is," Carragher stated on CBS's Champions League coverage.
And this, for me, is European football: how Real Madrid change the pace of this game. Everyone stood still, standing in position, then Rodrygo gets his touch and before you know it "Boom!" the pace in the game is quick.
But look at the body position here of Rodrygo compared to Cucurella. He is already on his way, Cucurella still hasn't changed his body position to run back and on the far side, Ben Chilwell, when one of your center-backs steps out the wing-back has to come in and fill that space.'
He added: You can't do everything you'd like to do as a defender [against rapid players]. You'd like to be tight and aggressive, but you've also got to remember who you're playing against.
Rodrygo is lightning-quick, so you can't go fully in. Cucurella doesn't go fully in, he gives himself a couple of yards which is okay but his problem is he doesn't react!
When the ball goes and [Rodrygo] spins, Cucurella is still like this [stood still]. He hasn't changed the pace of the game and understood what is happening in that game.
You've got be on your bike and go! And even if you go early, the player might then stop and get the ball to his feet no problem, you've still go your back five in position."