The likes of Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo have received widespread praise for their gigantic impacts on the team so far this season, but the role of Chelsea teammate Marc Cucurella shouldn’t be underestimated.
A number of individuals in the Chelsea squad are playing their best football under Enzo Maresca’s management, including Marc Cucurella.
The 26-year-old defender has had an up and down time at Stamford Bridge, but he’s certainly turned a corner by becoming a consistent performer in 2024. Troy Deeney thinks Chelsea’s Cucurella is exceeding expecation with the level of his performances this season.
The Spanish left-back missed the weekend’s goalless draw away to Everton in the Premier League. However, he’s back and available for selection on Boxing Day at home to Fulham.
Marc Cucurella of Chelsea talks to Enzo Maresca manager / head coach of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and C...
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Chelsea’s record this season with and without Marc Cucurella in the Premier League
In Chelsea’s 17 league appearances so far this campaign, Cucurella has started 13 of them.
Here is a look at how the Blues compare with and without the all-action full-back in the starting line-up this season:
Games started Wins Draws Losses Points
13 9 3 1 30
Chelsea’s 2024/25 Premier League record with Marc Cucurella in the starting XI
Games started Wins Draws Losses Points
4 1 2 1 4
Chelsea’s 2024/25 Premier League record without Marc Cucurella in the starting XI
As you can see above, the statistics support what the eye test tells you. That is that Cucurella is a major part of Chelsea’s success in recent months, which has led them to second in the division table.
Jason Cundy has praised Cucurella’s form at Chelsea by saying that he’s recapturing the levels he previously showed at Brighton.
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Many eyebrows were raised when English left-back Ben Chilwell was phased out by Maresca. However, Chelsea now have one of the most in-form left-backs around right now in Cucurella.
Enzo Maresca’s selection is easy
The biggest part of Maresca’s role as the Chelsea manager is making his team selection on a game-to-game basis. Well, it’s quite simple now when it comes to Cucurella and his place in the XI.
If Cucurella is available, he should be a non-negotiable as a starter in the left-back spot. Unless he’s rested for a cup competition, he’s too important to be left out of the side.
Therefore, we expect to see him instantly recalled on Boxing Day for the league clash versus Fulham.
In terms of both his defensive and offensive work, Cucurella brings so much quality to Chelsea on the left-hand side of the pitch.
Cucurella admits his aim is to stay at Chelsea for a long time, which should be music to the ears of supporters. If the defender continues at this rate, he’s going to create quite a legacy for himself as a massive fan favourite.
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