By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

29th Sep, 2023 | 1:00pm

Sources: Chelsea plotting to sign replacement for Marc Cucurella in January

Chelsea could explore a move for a new left-back in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed the Blues could push to get Marc Cucurella off the books in the mid-season window after his poor start at Stamford Bridge.

Cucurella has fallen well down the pecking order at Chelsea despite only joining for a reported fee of more than £60million last year (2022).

He is yet to play a minute in the Premier League for Mauricio Pochettino’s side this term and has only been called into action in the League Cup.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Chelsea’s mega-rich owners could now explore a deal for a replacement left-back in January if they can find a suitor for Cucurella.

The Spain international came close to leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer window.

However, a loan move to Man United failed to materialise in the final days and no other approaches were made.

Ben Chilwell has also struggled to make his mark under Pochettino and has been benched for the Blues’ last two Premier League games.

Cucurella made 33 appearances across all competitions for Chelsea last term, notching two assists.

He played both as a left-back and as a left-sided centre-back for the London club – who slumped to a 12th-place finish in the 2022-23 campaign.

Pochettino’s side aren’t faring much better in the new season, and have picked up just five points from a possible 18 to start the Argentine’s new era at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues, who spent a reported £400million in the summer window, are next in action against Fulham on Monday (2 October).

In other news, Chelsea coaches gutted at shattering injury blow.