Mauricio Pochettino hints 25-year-old Chelsea player could now start vs Newcastle

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is going to have to make changes for his side’s game against Newcastle United on Monday.

The club confirmed this afternoon that a couple of their players have picked up injuries, including Ben Chilwell.

Marc Cucurella has only just returned from an ankle problem, but Mauricio Pochettino hinted in his pre-match press conference that the 25-year-old could come into the team on Monday in Chilwell’s absence. Football.london were one outlet who relayed the Argentine’s comments.

Cucurella was on the bench for Chelsea‘s 2-2 draw with Brentford last Saturday but has not played a match since December.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues could actually allow the left-back to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Marc Cucurella could start against Newcastle

With Chilwell now set to miss the game, Pochettino has suggested that Cucurella will start against Newcastle if he is fit.

Speaking ahead of the match, the Chelsea manager said: “The most important thing for us is to work on us. We need to find different solutions again to deal with these injuries and see if Marc Cucurella arrives in good condition, to see if we are changing the way we play.”

Marc Cucurella Chelsea’s only real option for Monday

With Levi Colwill also picking up an injury, Cucurella is now the only left-back option Pochettino has for the Newcastle game.

Malo Gusto has played there this season, but the Frenchman is obviously a right-back and has really thrived there recently.

It was Gusto who set up Nicolas Jackson’s goal last weekend with an excellent cross from the right flank. Pochettino will want to keep him there, but if Cucurella is not fit enough to start, then it is going to be an avenue that the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss has to explore.

Chelsea probably wish that they kept hold of Ian Maatsen, who is enjoying his time in Germany with Borussia Dortmund right now.