Chelsea followers have written off their crew’s possibilities of overcoming Borussia Dortmund within the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 after Marc Cucurella was chosen to start out in defence. The Blues are trailing BvB 1-0 from the primary leg heading into Tuesday (March 7) evening conflict at Stamford Bridge.
Graham Potter has opted to decide on Cucurella in a again three alongside Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly. The Blues are coping with Thiago Silva’s absence, with the Brazilian defender anticipated to be out of motion for six weeks with a knee harm.
Cucurella has drawn criticism all through the marketing campaign for lackluster performances. The Spanish left-back arrived at Stamford Bridge from Brighton & Hove Albion final summer time for £60 million. He has featured 26 occasions throughout competitions, offering two assists.
The previous Brighton man has not performed as a centre-back this season nor throughout his time on the Amex below Potter. It is a large threat the English coach is taking along with his job probably at stake.
The UEFA Champions League is Chelsea’s final hope of silverware this season. They sit tenth within the league and are out of all home cup competitions. Cucurella might want to put in an assured efficiency towards a tough Dortmund assault that boasts velocity and power in Julian Brandt and Sebastian Haller.
In the meantime, Potter has chosen Kepa Arrizabalaga in aim, with Fofana, Kouilably, and Cucurella in defence. Reece James and Ben Chilwell are at proper and left wing-backs respectively. Mateo Kovacic captains the aspect. with Enzo Fernandez in midfield. and Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Kai Havertz in assault.
Among the Stamford Bridge trustworthy are already accepting defeat to BvB as a result of Cucurella’s choice. One fan urged that the Blues will want god as a result of the Spaniard was chosen forward of Trevoh Chalobah:
“Cucurella over Chalobah? We’d like God.”
One other thinks Dortmund will run riot towards Chelsea:
“Cucurella? We getting smoked.”
One other fan has already accepted defeat:
“Cucurella beginning in a again 3 means we’ve no probability. I already surrender.”
Here is how Twitter reacted to Potter’s questionable selection of Cucurella in defence:
Chelsea STARTING LINEUP.
Cucurella? We getting smoked twitter.com/CFCPys/status/…
Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic returns to bench towards Dortmund
Pulisic has returned from a knee harm that has stored him sidelined since January 15. He suffered a knock in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester Metropolis. He has handed Potter a lift and has made the substitutes’ bench for Chelsea’s sport with Dortmund.
The American attacker’s future is unsure, as he has the likes of Sterling, Mason Mount, Havertz and Felix to compete with for a berth in Potter’s aspect. He has scored one aim and offered two assists in 21 video games this season.
The harm disaster that Potter has endured since taking on final September is beginning to enhance.
N’Golo Kante is one other title many Blues followers are ready to return from harm. Nevertheless, Pulisic’s return is a welcome one as Chelsea are in the hunt for extra creativity in assault.
