Tonight, Chelsea hosts Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. With the Blues starting this season well, Marc Cucurella isn't around to make friends.
Of course, Cucurella is a fully-fledged Spain international. The defender was key to them winning the last Euros, as he donned the left-hand side of Spain's indestructible defense, while Dani Carvajal protected the right.
So, as Chelsea welcomes Barcelona to the historic Stamford Bridge, Marc Cucurella will have a good old-fashioned catch-up with his Spanish counterparts. However, those niceties will soon end as soon as the opening whistle is blown.
Six goals conceded in the competition is exactly how Marc Cucurella will want to keep the tally for Chelsea, even with Lamine Yamal knocking on the door.
Marc Cucurella won't take it easy on Lamine Yamal
Marc Cucurella revealed to the media that he told Estevao to get his shin pads on, as he was practising for how he manages to deal with Lamine Yamal.
In his own words, Cucurella said: "I told Estevao to put shin pads on in training because I started to train with him."
Lamine Yamal knows what's coming now. Marc Cucurella knows all about the threat he can provide on the offense, and the Chelsea full-back plans to maintain that threat the only way he knows: physicality.
It is fair to say that Marc Cucurella is one of the best defenders in the world right now. As far as left-backs go, he might just be the best in the world. If there are any doubters about that claim, they may want to keep a close eye on him tonight.
That said, Chelsea fans aren't blindsided. While Cucurella has made this warning to Yamal, the Blues know all too well that Yamal is no pushover. The youngster came painstakingly close to lifting the Ballon d'Or, and since missing out, he's only gotten better.
Yamal has scored six goals and provided eight assists in 12 games across all competitions. That tally isn't one to be sniffed at, and it's clear to see why he is a focal point in the Barcelona attack.
Some starting XI decisions are more difficult to make than others, particularly in Chelsea's defense. However, the full-back situation isn't one of them. Reece James simply has to start on the right, and Marc Cucurella simply has to start on the left.
Cucurella has a more difficult task than any of his teammates, but Enzo Maresca has no better man for the job.