Marc Cucurella has been hailed as a major influence for Chelsea as he prepares to face his old club.

The Spain left-back is off to a flying start to the season but will be booed by Albion fans, who remain unhappy at the nature of his departure, at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Cucurella was hugely popular in his season with the Seagulls after signing from Getafe and scooped a double of fans’ and players’ player of the year.

But he departed just before the following season.

He has followed his starring role at Euro 2024 by starting all five of Chelsea’s league matches so far this season.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said: “Marc is very important. He has something which sometimes you struggle to find in players.

“Marc is good and he’s making the players around him better because he’s a guy who’s talking, demanding and when you have five or six players like Marc in the team, it’s something important and I’m very happy with him.”

Chelsa are looking to back-up away wins at Bournemouth, where they were fortunate, and West Ham, where they were convincing.

Maresca goes head-to-head with Fabian Huerzeler and said: “He’s doing a fantastic job.

“I watched some of his games last year at the other team in Germany (St. Pauli) and I can see clearly the idea.

“When you join a club where the previous manager was playing more or less the same way, it helps a lot.

“My big friend Roberto De Zerbi was there, so he’s continuing this style and it’s helping a lot.”

Reece James (hamstring) is ruled out for the hosts.