{"id":4447,"date":"2026-05-05T21:26:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T21:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4447"},"modified":"2026-05-05T21:26:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T21:26:21","slug":"chelseas-loss-to-nottingham-forest-shows-just-how-much-one-player-is-missing-enzo-maresca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4447","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea’s loss to Nottingham Forest shows just how much one player is missing Enzo Maresca"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In their final game of the 2024\/25 Premier League season, Chelsea were able to beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 under Enzo Maresca and qualify for the Champions League.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One year later, Forest have managed to get revenge for that defeat and their 3-0 loss to Chelsea in October by beating the Blues\u2019 3-1 on Monday.<\/p>\n

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Calum McFarlane\u2019s side had a bad day at the office, with Marc Cucurella being one player who really struggled.<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s happened to Marc Cucurella\u2019s one-v-one defending?<\/h3>\n

He was terrorised by Nottingham Forest’s Dilane Bakwa<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Enzo Maresca exit has impacted Marc Cucurella the most<\/h2>\n

It is quite clear that the majority of Chelsea\u2019s dressing room did not take Maresca\u2019s exit well. Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez have even spoken publicly about it.<\/p>\n

While Fernandez has been quite open about his dissatisfaction with Maresca\u2019s departure and the state of affairs at Chelsea in general, the midfielder has still got on with things and delivered.<\/p>\n

It was Fernandez who sent Chelsea to the FA Cup final after scoring the winning goal against Leeds United in the semis.<\/p>\n

Cucurella, on the other hand, does not appear to have got over it. His performances since Maresca left have been below par, and it was no different on Monday.<\/p>\n

The defender was beaten for Forest\u2019s opener before allowing another cross into the box that resulted in a penalty for the visitors.<\/p>\n

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Under Maresca, Cucurella was one of the best one-v-one defenders in the Premier League. Wingers could not get past him.<\/p>\n

Cucurella was also a massive threat going forward. The left-back made darting runs into the box like he was a striker, while he would also invert into the middle at times and act as another midfielder, giving Chelsea more control and another passing option. Supporters have not seen any of that lately.<\/p>\n

In total, Cucurella scored seven goals last season. This term, he has managed just one.<\/p>\n

His role has been slightly changed, which is obviously impacting how much of a threat he can offer going forward. But that does not explain the decline of his defending.<\/p>\n

It has been reported that Cucurella would consider leaving Chelsea this summer, depending on the offers he receives. With just two years remaining on his contract, perhaps it could be time to cash in on the Spain international.<\/p>\n

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