The three options to replace Marc Cucurella vs Everton as Enzo Maresca faces big Chelsea dilemma

Posted Tuesday, December 17, 2024 by football.london

Marc Cucurella will miss the weekend's trip to Everton in the Premier League after the Spain international picked up a red card post-full-time in the win against Brentford on Sunday

The three options to replace Marc Cucurella vs Everton as Enzo Maresca faces big Chelsea dilemma
Marc Cucurella celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Brentford on Sunday evening

Marc Cucurella will miss the weekend's crucial encounter with Everton after he picked up a red card following the full-time whistle against Brentford on Sunday evening.

The Chelsea defender, who opened the scoring in the Blues' 2-1 victory against the Bees, was shown a second yellow card after shoving Kevin Schade as things got heated on the pitch following full-time. Cucurella had been shown his first booking for a foul on Fabio Carvalho in stoppage time.

"The referee issued a second yellow card to Cucurella for adopting an aggressive attitude," a statement from the Premier League read. "Schade was also booked for the same offence."

Enzo Maresca conceded Chelsea's immaturity and inability to handle such situations is one of the reasons why his team will not compete for the Premier League title this season. The Blues moved to within two points off leaders Liverpool with the win against Brentford.

"For sure [discipline is another factor], the goal we concede, it is something we need to manage better," the Chelsea head coach explained on Sunday night. "At the end of the game, the game is finished, we can manage that moment in a different way. But it is experience for the players to learn and to improve things."

Chelsea will be without Cucurella for their last-ever Premier League trip to Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon. A win for the Blues would see them move ahead of Liverpool to the top of the league table, at least temporarily with the Reds taking on Tottenham away from home straight after.

The big question now is: how do Chelsea handle the Cucurella suspension? What will Maresca do? Below, football.london takes a look at three options for the Italian on Merseyside...

This seems like the most likely option at the moment. Renato Veiga has essentially been the back-up for Cucurella this season. The majority of the 21-year-old's 16 appearances have come in the UEFA Conference League but he has featured seven times in the Premier League.

Veiga has been impressive when called upon this season but the Portugal international is far from the finished article - as to be expected given his inexperience and age. However, his height - 6ft 3in - could come in handy against a very physical Everton team, managed by Sean Dyche of course.

For me, this is the option that makes the most sense at Goodison Park. It is also the one I predict Maresca will go with when Sunday rolls around.

Another option: Malo Gusto moves to the left-hand side. This, though, would cause the Blues a few problems at right-back. As it stands, Gusto is the only senior, natural option to play as the right-sided full-back in a defensive four with captain Reece James still injured.

While Josh Acheampong has been really impressive, it would be a big risk to throw the 18-year-old defender into a game like Sunday's, with Goodison Park set to be rocking. Axel Disasi is an option for Maresca at right-back but the Frenchman has hardly set the world alight when he has featured this season.

Moises Caicedo has been used at right-back in recent games with the Ecuadorian tucking into midfield when Chelsea have possession. That is another solid option for Maresca should he choose to use Gusto at left-back.

Definitely the wildcard option. Ben Chilwell has played just 45 minutes this season and that came in the demolition job of League Two side Barrow at the start of the campaign.

At this point in time, it seems near-impossible that Maresca will recall Chilwell in Liverpool. It would be simply astonishing but it is an option for the Italian.