marc cucurella
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella will miss the upcoming FA Cup third-round match against Charlton Athletic due to suspension. Cucurella received a red card during Chelsea’s recent defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage, where he was penalized for pulling back Harry Wilson. This incident has ruled him out of the west Londoners’ trip to The Valley this weekend. Cucurella, who was likely to be rested anyway following a recent return from injury, leaves manager Liam Rosenior with a decision to make regarding his replacement.
Jorrel Hato said: “Coaches told me that I always needed to look up to Virgil van Dijk, but when I played in the under-18s, I always looked up to Jurrien Timber. I played with him for six months before he left, and I learned so much from him. When I came into the first team, he was my mentor. I love his playing style, his calmness on the ball. And he is just a great defender in defending terms.”
Hato continued: “I think I’ve improved a lot this season, especially at left-back. Last season, I played a lot as a centre-back, but this season I’m just a left-back. Yes, I did talk to Jurrien about that. He made his debut as a full-back and left as a central defender. And now, at Arsenal, he plays everywhere in the back! He’s definitely a role model for me.”
Cucurella has been a key figure in Chelsea’s lineup this season, with only two outfield players logging more minutes than the Spanish international. Despite the club’s significant investment in signing Jorrel Hato from Ajax for £36 million during the summer transfer window, Cucurella’s role under former manager Enzo Maresca was pivotal. The Spaniard’s ability to invert into midfield to assist in build-up play or advance forward to create threats in the final third was crucial to Chelsea’s tactical setup.
Hato, who had previously played over 100 times for Ajax, has had limited opportunities to showcase his talents at Chelsea. However, he made a notable impact off the bench in Chelsea’s dramatic victory over Liverpool, earning him a couple of starts in the UEFA Champions League. With Cucurella’s suspension and Malo Gusto’s recent injury concerns, Hato is poised to start against Charlton Athletic, offering him the chance to impress Rosenior and potentially secure a regular spot in the starting lineup.
Hato’s recent performances have caught the eye, and with the opportunity to step up in Cucurella’s absence, the young Dutchman could begin to fulfill his potential at Stamford Bridge. His versatility and ability to adapt to different positions in the backline, much like his role model Jurrien Timber, could prove invaluable to Chelsea’s defensive strategy moving forward.
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