Chelsea’s recent 2-2 draw against Championship side Ipswich Town has sparked a wave of criticism from fans and former players alike, with club legend John Terry delivering a scathing assessment of two current defenders. The match, expected to be a routine win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, ended in disappointment and frustration as defensive mistakes allowed Ipswich to come back twice and salvage a draw at a buzzing Portman Road.
Terry, who appeared on *Premier League Tonight* following the game, didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment. Calling the performance “disgraceful and unacceptable,” he focused his criticism on Marc Cucurella and Axel Disasi, claiming the pair had no place at a club of Chelsea’s stature. “I watched every minute of that match, and to be honest, these two players do not belong in a Chelsea shirt,” Terry stated bluntly.
He was especially critical of Cucurella, describing his positioning and decision-making as poor throughout the game. “Cucurella looked completely lost out there,” Terry said. “He was out of position far too often, didn’t close down his man, and failed to track important runs. For a player that cost over £60 million, that’s simply unacceptable.”
Disasi, meanwhile, came in for even harsher words. Terry compared his performance to that of an amateur, stating, “I’ve seen Sunday League defenders show more awareness than Disasi. He was sluggish, failed to communicate with his teammates, and played a part in both goals we conceded. That’s not what representing Chelsea is supposed to look like.”
The frustration didn’t end with Terry. Fans took to social media to voice their anger, with hashtags like #CucurellaOut and #DisasiDisaster trending on X (formerly known as Twitter). Many supporters echoed Terry’s sentiments, criticizing the club’s transfer decisions and highlighting the team’s lack of defensive organization and on-field leadership.
One fan wrote, “John Terry said what we’ve all been thinking. This squad is crying out for leaders. Instead, we’ve got players who look like passengers.” Calls for immediate changes in the lineup grew louder as fans feared continued underperformance could put Chelsea’s hopes for a top-four Premier League finish in serious jeopardy.
In his post-match interview, Pochettino appeared visibly irritated, acknowledging the result was below the club’s standards. He refrained from singling out players, instead stressing collective accountability. “It’s a team responsibility. We had chances to control the game and didn’t take them. We’ll review everything internally,” he said.
Nonetheless, with Terry’s explosive remarks and fan pressure building, Pochettino may soon be forced to make bold decisions regarding underperforming players. For some, their time at Stamford Bridge might already be nearing its end.
