Chelsea could have found the immediate replacement for Marc Cucurella as the Spaniard continues to struggle under Graham Potter. He was booed off against West Ham following a tepid display on the ball that failed to get the best out of Mykhailo Mudryk and has been the centre of questions towards Potter consistently.
"They are humans with private lives and things going on. Marc is not the only one," he said after the draw against the Hammers on Saturday. "At the same time, you understand supporters pay their money and the most important thing is what happens on that pitch over 90 minutes. But nevertheless, players have to deal with stuff.
"Marc is fine, he's going about his work. He knows he is probably not in the best moment of form but he isn't the only player who has to come through a moment. He is a player the club invested money in during the summer and it is our job to help him, support him, and bring him to the place where he is showing everyone his qualities."
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Since his dynamic and explosive debut cameo against Everton there has been little sign of the positive fullback that was seen on the south coast last season. Teenager Lewis Hall has been relied upon more recently too but it was Cucurella that was preferred at the London Stadium.
Now, with Ben Chilwell making gradual steps towards an eagerly anticipated return there is pressure on Cucurella to make a statement for his spot in the squad. On form he is arguably third choice and should Chilwell be fit to start in the Champions League on Wednesday night against Borussia Dortmund Potter has little choice but to put the Englishman in from the start.
Cucurella has not only been found wanting defensively, offering too much space to Vladimir Coufal for his cross resulting in Emerson Palmieri's equaliser. When in possession he was slow and appeared to be lacking in confidence, leaving Mudryk isolated on the left wing despite plenty of interchange coming between Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez in forward areas.
It has raised serious questions over the transfer fee paid for him (£62m) as well as his long-term suitability in the squad. It has also been reported by 90min that a perfect replacement may well have cropped with as the chances of Chelsea cutting their losses emerges.
Having moved to Bayern Munich in a surprise loan move in January Joao Cancelo appears to have no future at Manchester City. The Portugal fullback was allowed to leave after Pep Guardiola used him sparingly following the World Cup and Julien Nagelsmann's side were happy to snap him up.
With a £61m buy option in the deal it is said that the German champions aren't willing to pay that fee but would be interested in a permanent deal for less. This could allow Chelsea into the mix as they plot to resolve their issue with Cucurella and Chilwell. City themselves need a new left-back and were close to signing Cucurella himself in the summer.
That has left them short heading into the second half of the season and Chilwell has been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium. Although Chilwell is still first choice when fit and it would be a surprise to see him leave Stamford Bridge anytime soon the prospect of Cancelo going the other way does leave Chelsea with some options if they were to pursue it.
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