Chelsea's Marc Cucurella Faces Injury Setback Ahead of FA Cup Clash

Chelsea FC's left back, Marc Cucurella, suffered a hamstring injury during the team's 2-2 draw against Leeds United on February 10, 2026. Head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed that Cucurella felt discomfort at halftime, leading to his substitution for Jorrel Hato. Rosenior clarified that the decision was not tactical but rather enforced due to Cucurella's condition. "Unfortunately, at half-time, he felt his hamstring," Rosenior stated, emphasizing the need for medical assessments to determine the severity of the injury.

Sports IllustratedSports IllustratedChelsea injury news: Marc Cucurella, Reece James updates ahead of Liam Rosenior's FA Cup return to Hull CityChelsea’s Cucurella to have scan after suffering injuryLiam Rosenior hoping Marc Cucurella won’t be out ‘too long’ with hamstring injury

Cucurella will definitely miss Chelsea's upcoming FA Cup match against Hull City on February 13, 2026. The club is currently assessing his injury, with hopes that it will not result in a lengthy absence. Chelsea's fixture list includes crucial matches against Burnley on February 21 and a significant encounter against Arsenal on March 1, which could impact both the Premier League title race and Champions League qualification.

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In Cucurella's absence, Jorrel Hato is expected to step into the starting lineup, marking a pivotal moment in his Chelsea career. Hato, a 19-year-old versatile player, has been waiting for an opportunity to showcase his skills. Additionally, Chelsea may consider using right back Malo Gusto on the left side, depending on the fitness of Reece James, who is currently recovering from illness.

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Liam Rosenior expressed optimism regarding Cucurella's condition, stating, "We’re just doing our scans and assessments on him and hopefully he’s not too long." He also acknowledged the importance of the upcoming matches, indicating that Chelsea will approach the FA Cup tie against Hull with the seriousness of a Premier League or Champions League game.

Liam Rosenior hoping Marc Cucurella won’t be out ‘too long’ with hamstring injury

While the injury to Cucurella is unfortunate, some analysts have pointed out that the team's defensive performance in the second half against Leeds may have been affected by his absence. Critics argue that the lack of depth in the left-back position could pose challenges for Chelsea in the coming weeks, especially with the intensity of the upcoming fixtures.

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There is currently no definitive timeline for Cucurella's recovery, leading to speculation about how long he may be sidelined. While Rosenior remains hopeful, the lack of specific updates from the medical team leaves uncertainty regarding the player's availability for future matches.

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• “Unfortunately, at half-time, he felt his hamstring,” — Liam Rosenior, Chelsea Head Coach

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• “For Marc, it’s too early to know. Obviously, he’s definitely out for the game against Hull. We’re just doing our scans and assessments on him and hopefully he’s not too long.” — Liam Rosenior, Chelsea Head Coach

Liam Rosenior hoping Marc Cucurella won’t be out ‘too long’ with hamstring injury

As Chelsea navigates this injury setback, the focus will be on how effectively they can adapt their lineup while maintaining competitiveness in both domestic and European competitions.

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