Chelsea eyes one of the 'most talented LBs in the world'

Perhaps the biggest tactical change in Chelsea Since arrival Enzo Maresca It is to use their full-backs and adjust their positions to take over the platform of the rest of the players.

The likes of Malo Gusteau and Mark Cucurella He was key to this, sometimes darting into midfield alongside Moises Caicedo or occasionally providing width that allowed the winger to drift upfield, even occupying the half-space as a makeshift 'number ten' on occasion.

In order to execute this variety of roles, wide defenders must have a full mix of attacking and defensive qualities, be technically gifted enough to occupy midfield areas, while having the speed to recover and the athleticism to counter-press and drop back into their natural positions. Upon loss of possession.

How did Mark Cucurella perform under Enzo Maresca

Cucurella has proven to be Maresca's favorite since he has already taken charge of Chelsea He has made 20 appearances so far this season in all competitionsHe scored two goals, provided two assists, and contributed to keeping three clean sheets, and the total playing minutes reached 1,629 minutes.

Maresca himself even called Cucurella “very important” in an interview this season, saying “Mark Cucurella has something that you sometimes struggle to find in other playersThe 26-year-old Spaniard is also one of the Blues' more experienced players, which has seen him act more like a leader on the pitch.

The Spaniard showed the strength needed to support pressure in midfield areas, tracking players in a man-to-man manner, being aggressive and tenacious in the duel, but then calm on the ball to distribute play, and being useful as a tactical tool for Maresca to plan in different positions on the pitch.

However, the technical quality is only rising in the Premier League year after year, and this also applies to the full-back areas, which are becoming increasingly important to modern football tactics. Chelsea could look into the transfer market for another technically gifted option to compete with and challenge Cucurella.

A dream replacement for Mark Cucurella at Chelsea

according to Reports from CaughtOffsideChelsea are one of the teams monitoring Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, with other interest coming from Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham.

Reports suggest that Bournemouth want £50m to allow the 21-year-old to leave, which is to be expected with the Cherries performing well this season and Kirkes being an important factor in that. Bournemouth will also hope that, with the amount of interest in the Hungary international, they can spark a bidding war between the clubs.

Round belly He made 19 appearances (all in the Premier League) this seasonHe scored one goal, provided two assists, and contributed to keeping four clean sheets, with a total of 1,641 minutes played.

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How does Kerkez compare to Cucurella

Kirkese and Cucurella play in very different roles and systems this year, with the former playing under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, who has taken the league by storm with his high-pressing, direct style of play. Kerkez is often tasked with over-and-under runs to support the flanks, and finds himself in great crossing positions, often providing assists from these areas.

In comparison, Cucurella was somewhat of a chess piece for Maresca, being moved accordingly to suit the needs of others on the pitch. For example, maintaining width when Joao Felix plays on the left and drifts inside, but playing as a number 8/10 in the pocket when Pedro Neto or Jadon Sancho is on the left, who tend to stay and hold width in search of 1v1 isolation.

When comparing the two in their basic numbers this season, it is clear that the Hungarian ranks higher in many areas, providing more progressive actions per 90 (both passing and passing), making more basic passes, and making more passes into the penalty area, And average more shots. Create actions for every 90.

However, the former Brighton man has slightly better defensive numbers, winning more tackles and making more saves per 90. But that's not a weakness for Chelsea's goal. In fact, he still makes more interceptions per 90 than Cucurella, and has more ball recoveries per 90 (4.62 compared to 4.06), showing his insistence on recovering the ball on the side that exerts high pressure.

Karkez has been described as “One of the most talented left-backs in world football” By scout Jacek Kulig, after picking up two assists against Manchester City, and scoring against Wolves in quick succession. Adding someone like the Cherries defender, who is more natural at attacking wide spaces and providing width than Cucurella, could actually lead to better From one of Chelsea's 2024 summer deals.

The dynamic of Jadon Sancho and Kirkez

Sancho often finds himself isolated in wide areas, and despite being a difficult winger who wants to initiate 1v1 isolation with the opposition's full-backs, he does not necessarily have the pace to beat them without support and is far more effective when given players to rebound. Of and plural with.

Kerkez's desire to attack the sideline, making overlapping, overlapping runs and delivering crosses into the penalty area, would make Sancho more unpredictable in his game, as he is able to vary his actions through combinations with the full-backs, but also combinations inside with the strikers and Attacking midfielders, where the wide defender drags a man away with him.

This is something Cucurella tried to provide for Sancho in Maresca's attacking system, but his lack of confidence to beat a player in a wide area and cross into the box himself often led to Chelsea getting stuck in those wide left areas, recycling play. To go again.

Kerkez could offer a new dynamic for Marisca to try out, and the presence of him and Cucurella would open up areas of tactical possibilities further for the Italian.

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