Cucurella (CHE, Defender, £6.1m)

Verdict: HOLD

The Reasoning

Recent Performance: Eight points last gameweek against a tough opponent, a clean sheet and bonus points. A solid haul, following a five-pointer in gameweek 2. Early season form is promising.
Upcoming Fixtures: Next three games are mixed. Home to Fulham (easier), away to Brentford (medium), and away to Manchester United (tough). Chelsea's overall defensive form will be key.
Underlying Stats: High ICT index (8.8) shows involvement. Good creativity and influence stats suggest he's a key part of Chelsea's attacks from the left. Threat is lower, but assists are a real possibility.
Long-Term View: Last season was excellent (133 points), showing his potential for consistent returns. Early season form suggests he's building on that.

Risks

Rotation risk is always present with Chelsea's squad depth. Keep an eye on team news. The run of fixtures after the first three could impact his value.

Alternative Options

Estupinan (BRI, £5.0m): A cheaper option with attacking potential from a solid team. James (CHE, £6.5m): More expensive, but higher attacking ceiling if he stays fit.

The Strategic Play

Cucurella is a good hold for the next 3-4 gameweeks. His early season form and underlying stats are encouraging. Monitor his minutes and Chelsea's defensive solidity. He's not a short-term punt; he's a player with long-term potential.

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Gameweek Analysis

Player Analysis

Players Comparison

Team Analysis