With many Chelsea supporters calling for a replacement for Marc Cucurella, there may actually be an option from within.
The Marc Cucurella puzzle has been solved, but not in a way that many Chelsea fans may have expected after his sudden move to Real Madrid.
Now, the Blues must shift focus to finding a replacement. Currently, Jorrel Hato stands alone as the only real left-footed option, with his versatility to play at centre-back being a primary reason Chelsea felt comfortable sanctioning Cucurella’s sale in the first place.
Young American full-back Caleb Wiley provides additional internal depth, but he’s unlikely to have a place in Xabi Alonso’s side. And there is the likes of Malo Gusto and Josh Acheampong who can potentially play on the left, but you’d rather not play people out of position.
RATE 1-10: Is Marc Cucurella’s exit good business by Chelsea?
Chelsea may use Geovany Quenda at full-back
Ben Jacobs, when talking on TalkSPORT, has spoken about the formation situation at Chelsea, as well as the options that the club have at left-back.
The standout comment was the fact that Geovany Quenda could be used at full-back.
“Chelsea feel Xabi Alonso needs to be embedded to determine, is it going to be a back 3 or a back 4, with the back 3 being Alonso’s favourite formation.
“I expect Chelsea to scour the market to see if there’s any starting level left-backs or left wing-backs available, while people are naturally going to make links with Grimaldo.
“Chelsea have Barco, and it may even be that Quenda will now be seen as more of wing-back. Chelsea are going to be busy.”
Who would you rather see at left-back next season, Jorrel Hato or Lewis Hall?
Hall is being linked with a return to Chelsea following Marc Cucurella's move to Real Madrid 🇪🇸
Split image of Chelsea's Jorrel Hato and Newcastle United's Lewis Hall
Credit: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside/Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
A risky move with Geovany Quenda at full-back
Using Geovany Quenda at wing-back could backfire due to his overwhelming attacking instincts and notable lack of defensive discipline.
Naturally a winger, his first thought is always to drive forward, commit defenders, and create in the final third. This provides an extra offensive dimension, but it leaves his flank exposed to counter-attacks.
He struggles with defensive positioning, tracking back, and the physical demands of 1v1 defending, so it would take a miracle for Alonso to train him up.
In a demanding Premier League, fielding an out-of-position, attack-minded player at wing-back invites opposing managers to exploit him completely.
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