Chelsea defender eyeing move away from club

Chelsea will be hoping to get their season back on track when they face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. 

The Blues have endured a tough start to the new campaign, winning just one of their six Premier League games so far.

The Seagulls, meanwhile, have been in fine form of late and will undoubtedly provide a stern test for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in the third round tie.

Both Pochettino and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi will likely rotate their squads for the game on Wednesday, with several of Chelsea’s fringe players potentially being given an opportunity to impress.

Full-back Marc Cucurella could start the game, but reports suggest that the Spaniard is currently unhappy at the club and could look to force through a move away.

As reported by The Sun, the left-back could look to leave Stamford Bridge in January having failed to play a single minute of Premier League football so far this term.

The report claims that the 25-year-old has held talks with Pochettino but remains uncertain about his chances of featuring regularly.

So far this term Pochettino has primarily deployed central defender Levi Colwill as a makeshift left-back, despite having left-backs Cucurella, Ben Chilwell and Ian Maatsen available.

The Spaniard joined Chelsea from Brighton last summer but failed to impress during his debut season in the capital and is yet to feature in the league this term.

Previously, Cucurella had impressed for the Seagulls and former side Getafe, but his form has dipped since his £62 million move to Chelsea.

The report claims that Spanish giants Real Madrid are keeping tabs on the player with a view to potentially making a loan move in January.

Over the summer, a proposed switch to rivals Manchester United on loan had been touted but collapsed shortly before the deadline, leaving Cucurella frustrated.

The one-time Spain international is contracted to Chelsea until 2028, but it appears increasingly unlikely that he will remain at the club until that date.

In total, Cucurella has made 34 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions since joining the club last year.