Chelsea
Cucurella to Undergo Scans After Hamstring Complaint in Chelsea Defeat
Chelsea will send Marc Cucurella for scans after he requested a substitution for a hamstring issue..
Chelsea will send Marc Cucurella for scans on Tuesday after the left back signalled a hamstring problem during Saturday’s 2–1 loss to Aston Villa. The injury concern emerged when Cucurella asked to be substituted with just over 20 minutes remaining.
“He was complaining about hamstring,” Maresca confirmed postmatch in his news conference. “We don’t know if it’s an injury now or not. So he asked for the change.”
The Standard reports the Spaniard will be sent for scans as Chelsea await clarity on a player who has been one of their most durable performers in 2025–26, missing just two matches across all competitions. Cucurella has started 17 of Chelsea’s 18 Premier League fixtures, appearing as a substitute in the other, and has started five of the club’s six Champions League matches. His only lighter workload has come in the Carabao Cup, where he has come off the bench twice as the Blues reached the semi-finals.
If Cucurella is unavailable, the likely alternative on the left is summer signing Jorrel Hato. A natural centre back who can operate on the left, Hato was a standout at Ajax and captained that side aged 17 years and 282 days. He has, however, yet to make the same impact in west London, featuring only four times in the Premier League for a total of 167 minutes, a playing percentage of 10.3.
Injuries have interrupted Chelsea’s season and scrutiny has also focused on the team’s inconsistent performances before and after half-time. Ahead of Christmas at Newcastle United, Chelsea were outplayed in the first half and trailed 2–0, but rallied to draw with goals from Reece James and João Pedro. The pattern resurfaced against Villa, with Chelsea leading at the break through Pedro’s close-range finish before Villa improved in the second half.
Maresca, watching from the stands because of a one-game touchline ban, pointed to missed chances and game management as areas to address.
“I think the goal we conceded for sure changed the dynamic of the game,” he mused. “I don’t know if it’s the three changes, but for sure, until the goal we conceded, we were in control. I think by the time we conceded the first goal, we should have scored two or three goals.
“And then after the goal we conceded, the game completely changed. For sure, we have to be clinical because, again, as I said, by the time they scored the goal, I think we should have scored two or three goals and the game is different. But also, it’s probably how we can improve after we concede a goal to manage the game a little bit better, probably, in terms of game after game experience, these kind of things.
“I think the goal we conceded was the turning point. Until the goal we conceded, that is around one hour, we were completely in control of the game. Again, it’s something that is not the first time that happened. And when we concede a goal, even if we are winning and we concede a goal, we struggle a little bit with the management of the game. And it’s something that for sure we need to improve.”
Chelsea
How Liam Rosenior’s Arrival Reshapes Roles at Chelsea
Rosenior’s Chelsea arrival will reshuffle roles: Delap, Estêvão, Santos and Penders stand to gain in.
Chelsea have appointed Liam Rosenior to replace the frustrated Enzo Maresca. Rosenior arrives with a reputation for high-intensity, energy-first football and a preference for a 3-4-2-1 shape he employed at Strasbourg. Early flexibility will be important as he adapts that system to a large, unsettled squad.
One immediate tactical implication is for Estêvão. Though the 18-year-old has often been used on the right wing since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea reportedly view him as an attacking midfielder long term. Under Maresca he was more often an impact substitute than a regular starter. Rosenior’s fluid 3-4-2-1 could increase Estêvão’s minutes in a second attacking midfield role alongside Cole Palmer, though he would likely need to share time with João Pedro and Enzo Fernández.
The No. 9 position may also be open. João Pedro has operated there this term but is not an out-and-out centre forward and could be better suited to an attacking midfield role. Rosenior knows Liam Delap well: he signed Delap at Hull and the striker thrived on loan from Manchester City, scoring eight goals and adding two assists in the Championship at the MKM Stadium. Delap has the physical traits of a traditional striker and did his chances no harm by scoring against Fulham with Rosenior in the stands watching.
Andrey Santos is another player with an existing Rosenior connection. The Brazilian played 34 games for Rosenior in 2024–25, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists. Santos has started just five Premier League games this term and one in Europe, but a congested schedule could give Rosenior reason to use him more often.
Goalkeeping is a further area for review. Robert Sánchez has improved but remains unconvincing, while Filip Jörgensen has not inspired. Mike Penders, on loan at Strasbourg from Chelsea, has been the French side’s starting keeper under Rosenior this season and impressed in his first campaign in a top-five league. Rosenior has seen Penders’ development first hand and may offer him an opportunity next season.
Reece James appears safe in the XI but could be shifted to wing back, a demanding role that risks aggravating his injury history. The Rosenior system does not favour natural wingers, so wide players who prefer hugging the touchline, such as Alejandro Garnacho, or those lacking defensive discipline face a difficult path. Jamie Gittens has struggled to find the polish and technical edge to displace established wide options.
Chelsea
Foreign Stalwarts: Non-English Players Who Became Premier League Mainstays
Non-English players became Premier League mainstays through longevity consistency and contributions.
Since 1992 the Premier League has been defined by English talent and by players from abroad and neighboring nations who provided steadiness season after season. Some of the competition’s most trusted appearance makers are not English, with many racking up matches after arriving from overseas or from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Schwarzer arrived as a dependable presence and proved something of a lucky charm in the top flight. The former Bradford City man played his part in Boro and the Cottagers reaching UEFA Cup/Europa League finals, and he even ‘won’ the Premier League twice—with Chelsea and Leicester—despite not making a single league appearance in either title-winning campaign.
Sylvain Distin was a Premier League stalwart for years, retiring in 2016 at the age of 38. His first venture in England was a season-long loan with Newcastle United that led to a permanent move to Manchester City. He went on to captain the future Premier League champions prior to their big-money investment, then enjoyed a two-year spell at Portsmouth that yielded FA Cup success. Everton benefited from Distin’s prime extending into his 30s and he made almost as many appearances for the Toffees as he did for City—174 in six seasons.
Ryan Giggs’s record of 13 Premier League title wins with Manchester United will probably never be bettered. The Welshman was already an established United player when the Premier League kicked off in 1992–93, and he was a key figure for Sir Alex Ferguson as the club rose to the top of the country. Later in his career Giggs converted into a central midfielder and produced some of his best football. Winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in the 2008–09 season at age 35 was followed by another two Premier League titles prior to his retirement in 2014.
Forget Arjen Robben, Damien Duff was the real star winger in José Mourinho’s early Chelsea sides, yet he’s often underrated and not given the credit he deserves. A pacy, consistent performer, Duff rose to prominence at Blackburn Rovers as a natural left winger, terrifying right backs with his running and superb delivery. Goals followed and Chelsea came calling after the Roman Abramovich-led takeover in 2003. Duff was instrumental in Chelsea winning the Premier League two seasons in a row before being phased out. Newcastle United were the next stop in his 18-year top-flight career, followed by Fulham and then a move Down Under.
Arsenal
Premier League names December 2025 shortlists for Player and Manager of the Month
December 2025 Premier League shortlists: names, stats and contenders for Player and Manager awards .
The Premier League has published the shortlists for December’s Player and Manager of the Month awards.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the scoring charts for Leeds United, netting a league-high six goals across five games. His return included strikes in wins over Chelsea and Crystal Palace and helped Leeds record draws with Liverpool, Brentford and Sunderland as the club climbed away from the relegation zone.
Manchester City provide three nominees. Rayan Cherki recorded four assists and a goal while helping City to five victories. Phil Foden contributed four goals and an assist. Erling Haaland, September’s Player of the Month, produced five goals and three assists in December as he bids to become a two-time winner.
Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitiké matched Haaland with five goals, scoring in victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion and registering a brace in a busy draw with Leeds.
Aston Villa have two forwards in contention. Morgan Rogers finished December with four goals while Ollie Watkins reached five during a winning run that extended to 11 games before a defeat to Arsenal.
Fulham winger Harry Wilson enjoyed a strong month, scoring twice against Burnley and Crystal Palace and supplying four assists as the Cottagers emerged as European hopefuls.
On the managerial side, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta navigated a defensive injury crisis to deliver five wins from six games, extending Arsenal’s lead at the top. Arteta met Aston Villa’s Unai Emery twice in December, with the spoils ultimately shared. Emery’s side also beat Chelsea and Manchester United and recorded a win against Arsenal.
Leeds went undefeated under Daniel Farke during a month that included fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool, where a new formation produced a crucial unbeaten run. Pep Guardiola closed the year with five wins from five as Manchester City finished December in strong form.
The shortlists follow a season that has already seen recent monthly honours awarded to Jack Grealish (Everton) in August, Erling Haaland (Man City) in September, Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd) in October and Igor Thiago (Brentford) in November. Managerial winners this season include Arne Slot, Oliver Glasner, Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca.
