Wesley Sneijder criticised two Chelsea stars after the club’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid and called Wesley Fofana a ‘waste of money’.
Chelsea will need to produce a Champions League miracle in order to progress to the semi-finals after losing the first leg of their quarter-final tie with Real Madrid 2-0.
Karim Benzema’s first-half tap-in and Asensio’s second-half goal saw the Champions League holders clinch a win at the Bernabeu.
Chelsea, who appointed Frank Lampard as caretaker manager after Graham Potter’s sacking, will be without Ben Chilwell in the second leg after the left-back was sent off in Madrid.
Sneijder described Fofana as a ‘waste of money’ after Chelsea’s defeat and also questioned the club’s move for Marc Cucurella.
Chelsea spent £75m to sign Fofana from Leicester City last summer but the 22-year-old has only started seven league matches this campaign due to injury problems.
Fofana did start in a back-three against Real Madrid but Sneijder was not impressed by his display and suggested he is struggling to deal with the ‘pressure’ at Stamford Bridge.
Discussing Cucurella, who joined Chelsea for £62m from Brighton, Sneijder said: ‘Who brings in a guy like that? There are a few more like him running around [at Stamford Bridge].
‘That Wesley Fofana too, signed for €80m, that really is a waste of money. Maybe the pressure is too big for him at such a big club.’
Meanwhile, Chilwell has apologised to his team-mates and to the Chelsea supporters after being sent off against Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old said: ‘Slept on it, and just want to apologise to my team-mates and the fans.
‘I made a decision in a split second last night and it was a mistake. I always give everything for the team and I will continue to do so. Thank you for the support.’
