Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has shared his thoughts ahead of their upcoming Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Friday night. The Blues will be looking to bounce back after their recent FA Cup defeat to the Seagulls, where they suffered a 2-1 loss. This fixture presents an opportunity for Chelsea to get back on track, but Brighton, under Fabian Hurzeler, will be confident after eliminating them from the last domestic cup competition.
In their FA Cup encounter, Chelsea initially took the lead through Cole Palmer, whose shot was mishandled by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and ended up in the net. However, Brighton mounted a comeback with goals from Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma, sealing their progression at Chelsea’s expense.
Maresca has provided an update on his squad ahead of the match, confirming that several key players remain sidelined due to injuries. Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, both of whom picked up muscle injuries recently, will be unavailable for selection. Additionally, midfielder Romeo Lavia missed the FA Cup tie and is still in the process of recovering.
Squad Updates and Injuries
Discussing the current fitness situation within his squad, Maresca confirmed that Nicolas Jackson will be out until after the international break, while Marc Guiu is also expected to be unavailable for an extended period. Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile are both working towards regaining full fitness. Meanwhile, Wesley Fofana, who has been sidelined for a significant amount of time, has rejoined training but will still need a few weeks before he can be match-ready.
Regarding Jackson’s injury, Maresca explained, “We knew it was a muscle problem. Initially, his reaction was quite positive, and we hoped it wasn’t serious. However, after undergoing a scan, we found that he will need around six to eight weeks to fully recover.”
On Marc Guiu, he noted, “His situation is quite similar to Jackson’s—another muscle injury.”
One key player Chelsea fans have been eagerly awaiting is Christopher Nkunku, who has struggled with injuries this season. While Maresca acknowledged Nkunku’s quality, he was keen to stress that the Frenchman is not the only solution to Chelsea’s attacking struggles. “Christo is a very important player, but we must explore multiple solutions,” he said. “Often, players feel they are only important when they are playing, but everyone in the squad has a role.”
With both Jackson and Guiu unavailable, Maresca hinted at tactical changes, particularly in the striker role. He suggested that Chelsea may need to adapt their approach, saying, “When you don’t have a traditional number nine, you have to rethink not only the player in that position but also the way you play as a team.”
Reece James and Other Defensive Concerns
Chelsea’s captain, Reece James, was rested for the FA Cup clash against Brighton, but Maresca has confirmed that he is fit and available for Friday’s match.
In terms of Chelsea’s overall season performance, Maresca defended his team’s progress despite setbacks in the domestic cup competitions. He pointed out that Chelsea have spent much of the season within the Premier League’s top four, which is a step forward compared to their struggles in previous campaigns. “People forget that in the last two years, Chelsea haven’t been in the top four. This season, we have remained in that position for most of the campaign. It shows we are moving in the right direction.”
Potential Tactical Adjustments
With the absence of natural strikers, Maresca admitted that he is considering alternative attacking options. Wingers such as Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, and Tyrique George could be deployed in a more central role. “These players could be solutions,” he explained. “Jadon [Sancho] also has different qualities. When you don’t have a traditional striker, you have to rethink how you attack and link up play.”
The manager also addressed the situation between his goalkeepers. Filip Jorgensen has recently been given the starting role, while Robert Sanchez has been given time to recover both physically and mentally. Maresca clarified that his intention was not to rotate goalkeepers constantly. “Filip played in our last Premier League win against West Ham, and he remains our first-choice at the moment,” he stated.
Facing Brighton Again
Chelsea’s quick turnaround against Brighton means that the two teams will be very familiar with each other’s tactics. Maresca expects the Seagulls to maintain their aggressive style of play, just as they have in previous encounters. “I expect a similar approach from them, not just against us but in general,” he said. “Their attacking and defensive patterns are fresh in our minds, which could help us prepare better, but it won’t be easy.”
Interestingly, when asked about Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, Maresca chose not to comment, simply stating, “I prefer to say nothing about their manager.”
Chelsea’s Top-Four Ambitions
Maresca was also keen to clarify expectations regarding Chelsea’s ambitions for this season. He emphasized that securing a top-four finish was never an immediate goal when he took over. “When I signed, the target was to qualify for the Champions League within two years, not one,” he said. “This is why I’ve always maintained that we are building step by step.”
Looking ahead, he acknowledged that all teams go through difficult spells during a season. “I expected a period where results wouldn’t go our way,” he admitted. “But let’s not forget that we won our last Premier League game.”
Maresca also pointed out that Chelsea are not the only team dealing with injuries. “Injuries are part of football,” he explained. “Even top clubs like Manchester City have had key players out, like Jack Grealish. Arsenal are also dealing with fitness issues, including Kai Havertz.”
Nkunku’s Role and Adaptation
One of the most discussed topics in Chelsea’s recent games has been the role of Christopher Nkunku. Maresca was clear in stating that Nkunku is not a natural striker but rather an attacking midfielder. “Since day one, I have said that Christo is not a number nine,” he reiterated.
He explained that Chelsea’s attacking dynamics need to be adjusted to accommodate Nkunku’s different skill set. “When a player is absent, people start realizing how important they were. Every press conference, I get asked about Nico [Jackson], and I’ve always said he’s crucial both on and off the ball. Then, when he missed the FA Cup game, it became clear how challenging it is to play without a true number nine. Christo is a different kind of player, and we have to adapt accordingly.”
Updates on Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia
Another positive development is the return of Wesley Fofana to training. However, Maresca warned that his comeback will still take time. “He has started working with us, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be ready to play soon. He needs at least two or three more weeks,” he confirmed.
Similarly, Romeo Lavia’s rehabilitation continues, with the expectation that he will be fit after the international break. “Lavia’s situation is similar to Nico’s—he will return after the break,” Maresca said. “He has struggled with injuries, but we hope he can finish the season strong and be fully ready for the next campaign.”
The Goalkeeper Situation
Regarding Robert Sanchez, Maresca revealed that he had spoken to him when he made the decision to start Jorgensen. “After that, I didn’t feel the need to have another conversation,” he added. “The players know where they stand at the moment.”
As Chelsea prepare for their Premier League clash with Brighton, Maresca’s comments reflect both confidence and caution. While acknowledging the challenges posed by injuries and tactical adjustments, he remains focused on maintaining Chelsea’s upward trajectory and ensuring the team finishes the season as strongly as possible.
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