“Hopefully he brings the same energy” - John Terry says Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka won’t like ‘aggression’ of 27-year-old Chelsea star ahead of clash

Premier League Hall of Famer John Terry believes Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella will make it hard for Arsenal star Bukayo Saka in the London derby on Sunday, November 30. He claims the Englishman will not like the Spaniard's aggressive approach on the pitch.

In his TikTok video, Terry heaped praise on Cucurella for his display against Lamine Yamal during Chelsea's win over Barcelona. He wants to see the same performance from the defender against Arsenal on Sunday and said:

“We have Saka up against Cucurella. That’s always a good battle with them two. I’m not sure Saka likes the aggression from Cucurella, but let me tell you, every Chelsea supporter does. So, hopefully, he brings the same energy and same intensity like he does always.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca also heaped praise on Cucurella ahead of the Arsenal clash, saying that the defender is always keen on improving. He said:

"‘It is the focus and attention he has for 95 minutes. For defenders you can be good for 94 minutes and then you can drop the attention for one minute and concede something. The good thing about Marc is that for 95 minutes he is always focused – apart from Tottenham away [last season] when we conceded two goals in two minutes because of him! Overall Marc has always been top, and he is always thinking how he can defend better."

Maresca's men defeated Barcelona 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, November 25, at Stamford Bridge. Estevao Willian and Liam Delap scored the goals for Maresca's side after Jules Kounde's own goal gave them the lead.

Enzo Maresca hails Chelsea star's character ahead of Arsenal clash

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has heaped praise on Marc Cucurella, saying that the defender is the biggest joker in his dressing room. He believes that players who know when to joke around and when to be serious are needed in all squads and said:

"He is the biggest joker, for sure, one of the characters inside the building, and he has the capacity to switch from laughing and joking to being serious. I want all the players to have that mentality. The more players you have like Marc, the better it is."

Maresca's side are six points behind Arsenal going into the Premier League clash on Sunday. The Blues have not beaten the Gunners in the league since 2018, when Maurizio Sarri was manager.