Puma face a marketing DISASTER on their new £220 boots as big-money ambassador Marc Cucurella is forced to delete his photo of them in the bin after Chelsea star slipped twice and had to change footwear

Marc Cucurella’s costly slip in Chelsea’s London derby with Tottenham on Sunday looks set to be a marketing disaster for Puma and their new £220 football boots.

Puma had launched their next generation Future 8 boots in time for Christmas, and their big money ambassador Cucurella wore them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after previously trying them out in training.

But the full-back made a disastrous start to the match as he went over twice and was punished on both occasions as Tottenham raced into a 2-0 lead.

After the second slip, Cucurella ran across the sideline and put on another pair of Puma boots.

Chelsea managed an exciting comeback as they came from behind to win 4-3, but Cucurella still reflected on his mistakes after the match when he posted a photo of the new Puma boots in the trash bin next to the ‘Sorry Blues’ message.

He has since deleted the photo, but it was all over social media before it was deleted, and may now be making fans think twice about buying their own pair of Puma boots.

Marc Cucurella wore them on Sunday, but slipped twice and had to change his shoes

He then posted a photo of the shoes in the trash, which was a disastrous marketing move for Puma

The German sportswear company is already under pressure after failing to meet expectations with third-quarter sales.

Puma CEO Arne Freundt provided a positive update last month, highlighting that there was “very encouraging” demand for the company’s products heading into the latter part of 2024.

“Talking to retailers in Europe and the US, I think we are quite confident about demand going into the important shopping season,” he said.

However, Cucurella’s fight in front of an audience of millions will not have helped Puma’s cause.

The boots were advertised as specializing in three features: adaptability, movement and control.

But Cucurella showed none of those qualities in a torrid opening of Sunday’s match.

His first mistake came after just five minutes when his slip handed the ball to Brennan Johnson, who raced past him before squaring the ball for Dominic Solanke to tap home.

Six minutes later, Cucurella fell to the ground again and waved his arm in frustration as the loose ball was picked up by Dejan Kulusevski.

The Swedish midfielder then cut inside and picked out the bottom corner, while Cucurella immediately went to the touchline to change boots.

Sky Sports co-commentator Jamie Carragher slammed Cucurella for wearing the boots at all, questioning why he hadn’t noticed the problem during the warm-up.

“Cucurella is coming to court, don’t blame anyone else, it’s your own fault, son!” Carragher said.

‘Absolutely schoolboy stuff. Embarrassing.

Cucurella’s missteps cost Chelsea twice, with Brennan Johnson racing past him to set up Tottenham’s opening goal

Cucurella was indebted to Cole Palmer as the England star scored two second-half penalties to turn the match in Chelsea’s favor

‘He slips again. Look at him shrug his shoulders. Didn’t he warm up?’

Lead commentator Peter Drury added: ‘Well, it’s pantomime season, and like Cinderella, Cucurella needs a slipper that fits!’

The change of boots brought relief for the Spaniard as he played the pass for Jadon Sancho’s goal to get Chelsea back into the match.

The Blues piled on the pressure after the break and turned the game in their favor thanks to a pair of Cole Palmer penalties either side of a fine Enzo Fernandez strike.

Son Heung-min scored a late goal for Spurs, but it wasn’t enough as Cucurella and Co. holding on to all three points to send Chelsea into second place.