Rotation has been one of the key words mentioned in recent days as Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has launched an outburst on some of the chiefs at the club.
Maresca sent a message to Chelsea chiefs when he made 11 changes to his starting side to face Cardiff City, after reports that chiefs had wanted to see more out of some of their summer signings on the pitch.
Those who started were unable to get the job done without some of the big names being brought on, with Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto scoring the three goals off the bench.
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One player who was not required thankfully was Marc Cucurella. Jorrel Hato struggled at the start, but eventually grew into the game when Garnacho was performing at both ends of the pitch.
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Marc Cucurella has played 68 games in the last year
The Dutchman has seen minutes very difficult to come by due to how important Cucurella has been to Maresca, and this importance is reflected as well with his appearances for the international side.
According to a report by the CIES Football Observatory, Cucurella has played 68 games for club and country this season, racking up the seventh most minutes of any player in world football.
86.8% of those minutes have come with Chelsea, with their 2024/25 season lasting longer than most with their participation and eventual triumph in the Club World Cup.
Chelsea teammates Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella in discussion
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No rest set to come for Cucurella
Chelseaโs extreme schedule in the 2025/26 campaign will see Cucurella have to be rested at times. That is the whole reason behind spending big money on the signing of Hato.
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However, some crucial games before the end of the year mean that is unlikely to come anytime soon.
The Blues still have to play Newcastle United and Aston Villa before 2025 comes to an end, with the latter actually ahead of the Blues in the table.
Chelsea will need their best players available for those games, and this certainly includes Cucurella as part of the backline.
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