Reading the opponent’s team-news and seeing a backline of Gilchrist, Chalobah, Badiashile and Cucurella would ordinarily birth unfounded confidence that was prior absent in a opposing team’s attack.
It is almost certain that Ange Postegoclou’s men were patiently anticipating an “easier” affair after a more torrid outing against Arsenal in the past weekend.
However, that wasn’t to be the case especially due to the performance of one man, Marc Cucurella.
Lining up in his favored left spot of the team’s defence as the left back, Marc Cucurella shut down all of Spurs’ attack down their right.
Starting off with Johnson being his direct opponent on the right flank, Cucu (as he’s fondly called) forced him down the line a lot while also often blocking the Welshman’s cutbacks.
The former Brighton man had a brilliant game as he won the battles of the left flank, keeping Johnson and then Kulusevski quiet (9/9 successful duels, 4/4 tackles and 1/1 take-on).
Cucu’s aggression while closing down wingers often time forces them onto their back-foot, thereby making them less effective.
As good as Cucu could be with his interceptions however, the Spaniard has sometimes been found to be overly aggressive while in pursuit of the ball, thereby getting beat easily.
This problem is one weakness the La Masia graduate possesses in his game.
However, if work could be done on controlling his aggression and timing, he could begin to look like a player that costs £62m after just one season in the premier league.
Considering Chelsea’s well-documented search for a new left back and Mark Cucurella’s new found form, which of the Blues’ present crop of left back options would you keep? Marc Cucurella or Ben Chilwell?
It is worthy to note also the fitness issues of Ben Chilwell as compared to the otherwise consistently fit and available Cucurella.
Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart have a difficult decision in the Summer.
