Chelsea Defender Marc Cucurella Awaits Scan Results Following Hamstring Concern
Marc Cucurella is scheduled to undergo medical scans to assess a potential hamstring injury, casting doubt on his immediate availability for Chelsea. The Spanish left-back was forced off at half-time during Chelsea's dramatic 2-2 Premier League draw with Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.
Injury Forces Early Substitution in Pivotal Match
Cucurella had been named in manager Liam Rosenior's starting lineup for the crucial league encounter. However, he did not emerge for the second half, with Jorrel Hato introduced as his replacement. The change was not tactical but necessitated by the injury, as confirmed by Rosenior post-match.
'Unfortunately at half-time he felt his hamstring,' the Chelsea boss explained. 'It wasn't a tactical change, it was one that was enforced. Cucu's been top and hopefully he'll be okay. We'll scan him and make sure we find out if he's available for the next game.'
Chelsea's Frustration as Lead Slips Away
The match itself proved a rollercoaster for the Blues. They had taken the lead through Joao Pedro before the interval and doubled their advantage shortly after half-time when Cole Palmer converted a penalty. Yet, a chaotic six-minute spell saw Chelsea's two-goal cushion evaporate.
Goals from Leeds United's Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor secured an unlikely point for Daniel Farke's visiting side. The result was a significant setback for Chelsea, who missed a golden opportunity to overtake Manchester United and reclaim a spot in the Premier League's top four.
Rosenior Rues Costly Moments in Defensive Lapse
Reflecting on the dropped points, Rosenior pinpointed critical errors that proved decisive. He expressed frustration that his team conceded twice despite largely controlling the game, while also failing to capitalise on late chances to win.
'It was two key moments in the game that we didn't take care of, when we didn't stay calm,' he added. 'Moi Caicedo's a magnificent player, he's been top for me, but he makes a poor decision. How the play gets there as well, we made a few poor decisions in terms of how we press in that moment and we give away a penalty.'
Rosenior described the concession of two quick goals as 'ridiculous', emphasising that Chelsea were the superior side for the vast majority of the contest. 'The ridiculous thing for us is that they've managed to score two goals in a five-minute period, when for the other 90 minutes of the game we were by far the better team. We just made poor decisions in key moments.'
Looking Ahead: FA Cup Clash and Squad Management
The immediate focus now shifts to Cucurella's fitness assessment. The scan results will determine whether he can feature in Chelsea's next fixture, an FA Cup fourth-round tie away to Championship side Hull City on Friday.
This injury concern adds to the challenges for Rosenior as he balances squad rotation with maintaining momentum. The draw with Leeds underscores the fine margins in the Premier League, where individual errors and momentary lapses can drastically alter outcomes, even when a team dominates possession and chances.
