Although February has a relatively soft schedule for Chelsea, the games will soon come thick and fast for Liam Rosenior’s side, with the team set to play 7 games in 20 days from the 1st to the 21st of March.

So, it is clear that Rosenior will need as many players available as possible. He and Chelsea were given a huge boost by Reece James’ return to the starting XI against Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round proper on Friday evening.

However, it is not all sunshine and roses. Indeed not, as Marc Cucurella picked up an injury in the draw with Leeds United and had to be replaced by Jorrel Hato at half-time in that game.

Well, there appears to have been an update. on the injury. According to Spanish outlet AS, the 27-year-old will now be out of action for the next 3-4 weeks.

This means that Cucurella would miss the games against Burnley (H), as well as Arsenal and Aston Villa (A). It would be touch and go for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg away from home, with the opponent still to be confirmed.

To look at things from a glass-half-full point of view, the next couple of weeks are good to miss, with only one game a week. However, you just hope this is closer to three weeks than four, and he can be back for when the games start coming every three days.

So in the meantime, what happens? Jorrel Hato played 90 minutes against Hull. He had some good moments and some bad moments. He still looks a bit awkward there, and we must remember it was a Championship opponent — with all due respect.

Former manager Enzo Maresca played Malo Gusto there at times, but that was also an awkward fit. So, with Hato at least being left-footed, he feels like the move, at least for now. Give him a chance vs Burnley — a side not much better than Hull – and then reassess for the big game against Arsenal at the Emirates a week later.

Well, there we have it. Not ideal news, but what can you do? As long as he is back for at least the second half of the intense March schedule, then it certainly could have been worse for Rosenior and his team. Let's wait and see. 

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