Opinion: How do Chelsea Go About Replacing Marc Cucurella?

On Sunday afternoon, we got an out of the blue update from Fabrizio Romano that Chelsea left back Marc Cucurella was set to depart SW6 after four years at the club, with Real Madrid on the verge of confirming his signing. 

Although, in truth, the Spaniard is a little overrated, he is still someone that will need replacing, whether it be internally or externally. So, how do the club go about doing that? Let's take a look. 

So, the first option is indeed to look internally. There is a lot of hope that Dutch international Jorrel Hato will make it at Chelsea. We just don't know if that will be as a left back or a centre back. 

In the short and medium term, a lot will depend on how new manager Xabi Alonso will set up. If he uses the three at the back system that was so useful for him at Bayer Leverkusen, there feels an obvious place for Hato on the left  hand side of the back three. 

However, if he goes with a more traditional and flat back four as he used at  Real Madrid, it becomes more complicated. Will he prefer Hato as a left back, or as a centre back in a back four?

Some would say that left back is too defensive, whilst others may point to the fact that playing him as a central defender in a four is too risky. Does he have the physical attributes for that?

Plus, in a back four, you'd imagine that Levi Colwill will be the first choice left centre back, which further suggests the Dutchman could be a left back option in such a set up. Starting to warm to the idea more and more. 

It was only last summer that Chelsea made a near £40m investment in Hato. Although that may seem like not a huge amount of money in the modern game, it would be a shame to bring in an external replacement for him so soon.

Therefore, after consideration, he should be a starter next season, whether it be as a left back in a four, or left side of a back three. So, in terms of a replacement for Cucurella, it should depend on the formation. If it is a back three, a left-wing back will be needed. In a four, a starter would not be needed to be signed - perhaps some cover for Hato in the market would be useful.