Chelsea lined up for the first time in the Premier League this year without Marc Cucurella being available for selection when they faced Bournemouth,
Cucurella limped off in the second half of the defeat to Aston Villa, and with Jorrel Hato not available they ended the game without a recognised left-back in the side.
While Enzo Maresca dropped Reece James in order to manage his minutes, he was unable to select the Spaniard in any capacity, with Josh Acheampong and Malo Gusto the starting full-backs.
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Given how crucial the left-back has become since the Italian took over, there will have been real fears that the Blues would suffer in his absence.
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Marc Cucurella could return for Chelsea’s next game
However, Maresca told Sky Sports before the game against Bournemouth that the issue was not significant, and he could even return in time for their first game of the new year.
He said: “Cucu had a small issue against Aston Villa in the last game, but is okay overall. Hopefully, he can be available for the next game.”
There was a chance Cucurella would have been absent from the Manchester City game on January 4 if he had picked up two bookings before then, however his absence against Bournemouth will not see that become an issue.
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Much-needed opportunity for Josh Acheampong
You have to go back to late October to find the last time Acheampong started a Premier League game for Chelsea, but in the absence of Cucurella he has been handed his chance.
He has been waiting patiently to impress again, and hadn’t featured at all since the EFL Cup quarter-final win against Cardiff City.
Despite his lack of minutes of late, Chelsea insist Acheampong is not available in January, either on loan or for a permanent departure.
The England U21 international started at right-back, while Gusto filled in for Cucurella at left-back.
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