Chelsea will send Marc Cucurella for scans on Tuesday after the left back signalled a hamstring problem during Saturday\u2019s 2\u20131 loss to Aston Villa. The injury concern emerged when Cucurella asked to be substituted with just over 20 minutes remaining.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was complaining about hamstring,\u201d Maresca confirmed postmatch in his news conference. \u201cWe don\u2019t know if it\u2019s an injury now or not. So he asked for the change.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201326, missing just two matches across all competitions. Cucurella has started 17 of Chelsea\u2019s 18 Premier League fixtures, appearing as a substitute in the other, and has started five of the club\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Injuries have interrupted Chelsea\u2019s season and scrutiny has also focused on the team\u2019s inconsistent performances before and after half-time. Ahead of Christmas at Newcastle United, Chelsea were outplayed in the first half and trailed 2\u20130, but rallied to draw with goals from Reece James and Jo\u00e3o Pedro. The pattern resurfaced against Villa, with Chelsea leading at the break through Pedro\u2019s close-range finish before Villa improved in the second half.<\/p>\n
Maresca, watching from the stands because of a one-game touchline ban, pointed to missed chances and game management as areas to address.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the goal we conceded for sure changed the dynamic of the game,\u201d he mused. \u201cI don\u2019t know if it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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\u2019s 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\u2019s something that for sure we need to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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