Chelsea Face Major Injury Scare That Could Derail Premier League Comeback

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has confessed he remains uncertain about when left-back Marc Cucurella will return to action after sustaining a hamstring problem.

After being substituted during the second half of the 2–2 stalemate against Leeds United, Cucurella was found to have suffered a muscle strain that didn't seem overly concerning, as he showed no obvious signs of distress while playing.

As expected, Cucurella was absent from the midweek FA Cup triumph over Hull City, with the manager confirming afterward that the defender remained unavailable for team selection.

"Right now, he's not ready," Rosenior stated.

"He's dealing with a hamstring problem. I'm unsure. I cannot provide a specific timeline for his return at this stage."

Cucurella at Risk of Missing London Derby

Cucurella at Risk of Missing London Derby

Chelsea will be eager to avoid taking any unwarranted chances with Cucurella, who serves as a consistent starter when fit and available.

Consequently, it appears very probable that he will also miss this weekend's home fixture against 19th-placed Burnley, who suffered defeat to mid-table League One side Mansfield Town in Saturday's FA Cup fourth round.

The period following the Burnley match is where Chelsea's primary worries emerge. On Sunday, March 1, Chelsea travel to the Emirates Stadium to meet Arsenal in what promises to be a crucial encounter for both the title chase and Champions League qualification race. Entering that fixture without Cucurella would represent a massive setback for Rosenior.

Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Everton all face challenging fixtures before the international break, following which Chelsea must confront both Manchester City and Manchester United. The Blues simply cannot tolerate an extended period without Cucurella.

To replace the Spaniard, Rosenior will keep relying on summer acquisition Jorrel Hato, brought in specifically for this role, while French right-back Malo Gusto possesses left-sided experience if required as backup coverage.

The European qualification race remains incredibly tight—with merely five points dividing fourth-placed Manchester United and seventh-placed Brentford—and losing Cucurella during such a crucial phase could prove catastrophic for Chelsea's campaign.