'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are set to miss their side's next Premier League match against Liverpool due to suspension. The Blues travel to Anfield after the international break on October 20.
They will now be without two key members of the backline, with the pair having picked up five yellow cards in their first seven league matches. Any player who receives five bookings in the first 19 matches of the campaign is handed a one-match ban.
The duo were most recently cautioned in the west Londoners' 1-1 draw in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest on Sunday (October 6).
Cucurella has become the first-choice left-back at Stamford Bridge since Enzo Maresca's arrival this summer. The Spain international has seen off competition from Ben Chilwell and Renato Veiga to secure himself minutes in the first team.
So far this campaign, the 26-year-old has started every single English top flight for the Blues, much like Fofana. The 23-year-old France international has made his way back into the squad after an injury-stricken 2023/24 season. He did not make a single appearance after picking up an ACL injury last year.
Following Chelsea's latest result, they've racked up 14 points and are placed fourth in the standings. Enzo Maresca's team is four points short of league leaders Liverpool heading into the international break.
It is likely that Veiga will replace Cucurella at left-back against Liverpool. Maresca could also use Levi Colwill in the position. Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo were among the substitutes against Nottingham Forest, and one of the two is likely to fill in for Fofana.
Renato Veiga discusses competition with Marc Cucurella at Chelsea ahead of Liverpool clash
Chelsea full-back Renato Veiga was asked whether he thinks he's done enough to earn himself a starting spot over Marc Cucurella. The Portuguese defender has made eight appearances across competitions.
However, he's mostly featured as a substitute in the league or has started in cup competitions. Claiming that there's healthy competition between himself and Cucurella, Veiga said (via Mirror):
"That's not a question for me, I do my work, Marc does his work. What a guy, what a player. It's healthy competition and we push each other but the most important thing is that the team gets results."
Veiga arrived at Chelsea from Basel this summer for a reported fee of €14 million. He's signed a deal with the Blues that will keep him in west London until the summer of 2031.
