Marc Cucurella was sent off against Fulham.placeholder image
Marc Cucurella was sent off against Fulham. | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea travel to Charlton Athletic in FA Cup action on Saturday afternoon but will be without a key defender.
Charlton Athletic host Chelsea at The Valley in FA Cup action on Saturday afternoon in what will be a first meeting between the two London sides since February 2007.
The Premier League side go into the clash as the favourites with new manager Liam Rosenior taking to the dugout for the first time. The Strasbourg boss, who watched Chelsea lose 2-1 against Fulham from the stands at Craven Cottage, has taken over from Enzo Maresca.
Rosenior will be desperate to avoid defeat and dumping out of the cup at the hands of a team in the league below but will travel to The Valley without one key defender available. Chelsea will no doubt rotate to take on Charlton Athletic but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rosenior name a strong team to ensure he starts his tenure with intent.
Chelsea defender suspended for Charlton Athletic clash
Marc Cucurella was shown a red card after just 22 minutes against Fulham, having been judged to have denied Harry Wilson a goal scoring opportunity. The Premier League match centre, via X, wrote: "The referee’s call of free-kick to Fulham and a red card to Cucurella for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was checked and confirmed by VAR - with it deemed that Cucurella committed a holding offence that did not continue into the penalty area."
The Euro 2024 winner will serve a one-match suspension for the incident, and that will come in the FA Cup clash against Charlton Athletic. That’s a boost for Nathan Jones’ side with the Spain international known for his bulldoggish defensive work and freedom to influence attacking moves.
Marc Cucurella hailed as ‘incredible’ player by Wayne Rooney
Cucurella is a player for a big atmosphere too. Speaking about his performance in the head-turning Champions League win over Barcelona earlier this season, in which he kept Lamine Yamal quiet, Wayne Rooney said: “Cucurella was absolutely incredible.
“I think it’s probably the best performance I have seen from a left-back for a very long time. To do that tonight, what he did, that shows he’s a serious player.”
Cucurella’s absence will come as welcome news for no one more so than Charlton Athletic full-back James Bree. The Southampton loanee looks likely to feature at right-back again and would have had his work cut out dealing with the Chelsea man at both ends of the pitch.
Bree could instead be up against 19-year-old Jorrel Hato, who came on to take over the role from Cucurella against Fulham. Chelsea paid £36 million to sign the teenager from Ajax last summer.
In other news, QPR winger and 'outstanding' Charlton Athletic star linked with League One loans - round-up.
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