Going into a game completely written off by some fans and many football lovers is a regular theme when it concerns Chelsea and more often than not the Blues spring up surprises to remind the ‘masses’ of just what the club is all about.

An entertaining 2-2 draw against fierce London rivals Arsenal at the Bridge tonight with goals from Cole Palmer and Mudryk before a costly mistake from Sanchez gave Arsenal hope (Declan Rice 77’) before the gunners leveled matters through Trossard on the 84th minute.

In this piece I shall discuss the performance of Marc Cucurella and why Chelsea’s hierarchy may have to re think their position of selling him ahead of the January window.

The diminutive Spaniard started in a more familiar role on the left this time and went head-to-head against arguably the best right winger in England, Bukayo Saka.

Grit, tenacity, determination and immense drive to silence red-hot Saka saw Cucurella play arguably his best game yet for the blues.

Winning the most duels in the game with 10, most fouls with three and the player with the most tackles with two ensured we saw the best of Cucurella despite coming up against a devastating Bukayo Saka.

Staying “shadow-tight” to Saka when he showed up short for the ball and constantly staying in his ear like a “rampaging mosquito” meant the Arsenal man couldn’t turn infield onto his stronger foot.

Cucurella’s front foot defending is massively important when coming up against dangerous wingers as seen in games against Salah (Liverpool away last season) and now Saka.

Despite not being the tallest, Cucurella won 3/7 aerial duels contested and 7/12 ground duels contested, all pointing to how well Cucu marshaled the left hand side of the defence.

One implication Cucu’s performance tonight has on the team going forward is the question it posses towards Pochettino and his Coaching staff; Does Cucu remain the starting LB?

Personally, considering Colwill has been the first choice LB all season long, Cucu’s performance tonight is a reminder of how important he could still be against certain oppositions.

Cucurella is best utilised as a left back/left centre back where he could use his passing skills to help play out of opponents’ press while also acting as a key man in neutralizing the opposition’s transitions/counter attacks.

Another implication of Cucurella playing as the team’s starting left back is the fact it ensures that Colwill returns to playing in his natural position as a left centre back.

Despite the visible pros to having Cucurella as a starting left back, it is however my expectation that Colwill takes up Cucu’s place (due to his lack of height) in games where the Blues are certain to come against superior aerial threat like Brentford in the next game.

Cucurella’s best reaction to calls for his sale are good performances like this one against Arsenal and with many more games against tough opponents with tricky wingers (Spurs, City…) still to come, Cucurella certainly should be pushing to be the team’s starting Left Back.