Pride of London’s Chelsea Player of the Month for March 2025

March proved to be another disappointing chapter in Chelsea’s season, as Enzo Maresca’s side struggled to build momentum. Despite a favorable Europa Conference League draw and crucial Premier League fixtures in the race for a top-four finish, the Blues' performances were largely uninspiring. The attack, in particular, faltered, with none of Chelsea’s forwards managing to find the back of the net throughout the month.

The month opened with a trip to Denmark for the first leg of the Europa Conference League Round of 16 against FC Copenhagen. While Chelsea secured a 3-1 aggregate victory, neither leg reflected the dominance expected from a team with European aspirations. A narrow 2-1 win in Denmark, followed by an unconvincing 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, exposed the team’s attacking inefficiencies. In domestic action, Chelsea managed just one win in two Premier League outings—a scrappy 1-0 triumph over relegation-threatened Leicester City, offset by a toothless 1-0 defeat against Arsenal.

Selecting a standout performer from such an uninspiring stretch was no easy task. However, one player consistently delivered when it mattered most: Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard earns Pride of London’s Chelsea Player of the Month award for March 2025, thanks to his defensive reliability and a rare moment of attacking impact in an otherwise lackluster month.

Cucurella: A Lone Bright Spot in a Frustrating Month

Cucurella’s defining moment came in Chelsea’s solitary Premier League victory. With the Blues desperate for points to maintain their push for Champions League qualification, they found themselves in a tense battle against Leicester. In a match devoid of attacking fluency, it was the left-back who stepped up, reacting instinctively to score the game’s only goal. His decisive strike secured three vital points, proving invaluable in a month where Chelsea’s forward line failed to produce.

Beyond his goal-scoring contribution, Cucurella’s influence was evident in Europe as well. In the first leg against Copenhagen, he played a crucial role in ensuring Chelsea returned to London with a 2-1 advantage. His defensive discipline, tireless energy, and composure under pressure helped the Blues navigate a tricky away fixture. In the return leg at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea struggled once again to impose themselves, Cucurella remained a key figure in shutting down Copenhagen’s late attacking efforts, ensuring progression to the quarter-finals.

The Road Ahead: More Must-Step Up

Despite Chelsea’s inconsistency, results elsewhere have kept them in contention for a top-four finish. However, if Maresca’s side are to secure Champions League football for next season, significant improvements are required—particularly in the attacking third. With pivotal fixtures on the horizon, including a Europa Conference League quarter-final, Chelsea must rediscover their attacking rhythm.

For Cucurella, his performances in March reaffirmed his importance to the squad. While his goal against Leicester was an anomaly, his defensive contributions remain crucial. If Chelsea are to steady the ship in April, they will need more players to rise to the occasion as he did.