‘I was so scared’: Marc Cucurella names the Chelsea player he was so worried about facing last season

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Marc Cucurella has admitted he was “so scared” about facing Romelu Lukaku when playing against Chelsea last season.

Cucurella, 24, is a talented defender that’s made a really positive start to his Chelsea career since joining from Brighton this summer.

The energetic Spaniard is most recognised as a full-back or wing-back, but he’s got the versatility to slot in as a left-sided centre-back in a back three.

He’s recalled last season a Brighton fixture against the Blues where preparing to face Lukaku was a worrying proposition.

Cucurella scared about facing Lukaku

Chelsea’s new boy has shared the interesting tale about Lukaku, whose return to the Premier League last season would’ve frightened a lot of defenders.

Unfortunately, the 29-year-old centre-forward struggled to recapture his very best form last season in Thomas Tuchel’s side. It’s why the powerhouse striker has exited Stamford Bridge this summer on a season-long loan to Inter Milan.

“I never imagined playing in this left centre-back position but I remember the first game I played there was against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. I saw the line-up and I was so scared to play there against [Romelu] Lukaku because I thought that’s impossible for me!” Cucurella said.

“I don’t know why but I played really good, maybe because I liked the style of the team and my team-mates, which helped me a lot.”

It looks like the change of scenery has already done Lukaku the world of good.

He’s returned to ex-club Inter Milan on loan, which is where he enjoyed a lot of success as a clinical goalscorer.

He opened his goalscoring account for the season on the opening day of Serie A against Leece, so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on over the course the next year.

Craig Burley claims Lukaku played with “fear” when stepping on the pitch last season, becoming the latest in a long line of Chelsea’s No.9s to underwhelm.

He’s got all the attributes to strike fear into the majority of Premier League defenders, but something just didn’t click for him in the past 12 months.

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