Newcastle 4-1 Chelsea: 3 Blues who let the side down

2. Marc Cucurella

It could’ve been the continuation of a deserved redemption arc for Marc Cucurella. Instead, the Spaniard’s performance today encompassed all the reasons why many Blues fans wanted him sold last transfer window. Defensively at left back Cucurella was dismal, constantly being caught out of position on set pieces and his height at 5’8 made him a liability to contest for headers against a cross heavy Newcastle team. The first goal the Magpies scored was largely the 25-year old’s fault, as he let Alexander Isak out of his sight straight into an island 1v1 against Sanchez.

Cucurella’s greatest attribute in being a pest in pressing opposition forwards can also be the cause of his demise. In games like today, his pursuit for the ball often leads to gaps for other opposition players to exploit on the left flank. Going forward he’s also a non-factor in this CFC side, bringing no attacking threat whatsoever in crossing the ball, making overlapping runs, and he’s never a threat to score. To make matters worse, Cucurella is now also suspended for the next Premier League match against match due to yellow card accumulation.