Cucurella’s red card complicates Rosenior’s Chelsea debut
Marc Cucurella was sent off just 22 minutes into Chelsea’s match against Fulham, marking a challenging start for new manager Liam Rosenior at Stamford Bridge, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred as Cucurella, caught in a race against Fulham’s Harry Wilson after a long pass from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, resorted to a foul to prevent a potential goal-scoring opportunity. The referee promptly issued a red card, igniting outrage among Chelsea’s players.
This dismissal was Chelsea’s fifth red card in the Premier League this season, far surpassing any other club, which has not seen more than two sendings-off. This statistic underscores the severe disciplinary issues that Rosenior must address as he takes over the team.
The match was marred not only by Cucurella’s red card but also by subsequent cautions issued to teammates Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, both booked for dissent after the official’s decision. Similarly, Tosin Adarabioyo also received a yellow card amid escalating frustrations.
Following the match, the Premier League match centre confirmed that the red card was upheld by VAR, confirming that Cucurella’s foul indeed denied Wilson an obvious goal-scoring opportunity outside the penalty area. This reflects a continuing trend of ill-discipline that plagued Chelsea under previous management.
Cucurella’s suspension means he will miss three crucial upcoming fixtures, including an FA Cup match against Charlton Athletic, a Carabao Cup semi-final, and a league match against Brentford. Rosenior, who observed the match from the stands, commented on his decision to step back, stating, “Just travel. But mainly the fact that Calum did such an incredible job against Man City.”
The incoming manager’s challenge is now steep, with immediate concerns over team discipline and focus. In the competitive landscape of the Premier League, such issues can quickly define a season. A reminder of how fine the margins are in football, the road ahead for Chelsea under Rosenior starts far from straightforward.
