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What Enzo Maresca got wrong as Chelsea dumped out of the FA Cup by Brighton
Chelsea are out of the FA Cup after losing on the south coast against Brighton on a frustrating night for Enzo Maresca, who was forced into making a number of changes
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are out of the FA Cup after being beaten 2-1 by Brighton on Saturday night.
Chelsea travelled to the south coast to take on Albion in an all-Premier League FA Cup match-up. Despite being in the cup, both sides fielded strong teams with Maresca only opting to make a small number of changes.
The Blues got off to the perfect start thanks to a howler from Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal. Cole Palmer’s volleyed pass across the six-yard box was turned into his own goal by Verbruggen. The Dutchman was under no pressure but spilt the straightforward cross into his own net, making a complete mess of the situation.
However, their lead didn’t last long, a brilliant header from Georginio Rutter put the hosts back on level terms just seven minutes later in a half that fizzled out following a rapid start to proceedings.
A complete defensive mishap saw Kaoru Mitoma put the Seagulls ahead shortly before the hour mark. Chelsea pushed forward and created a number of half chances, but never really looked as if they were going to find an equaliser as their sole hopes of a trophy this season come in the Conference League.
Ever-changing backline
It’s quite obvious that Maresca is unhappy with his defensive options, as the Italian again opted to name a changed backline.
Reece James was not involved in the squad as concerns over his fitness were raised again as Malo Gusto came into the side, with his performance making it plainly obvious the drop off when the Blues don’t have their captain to call on.
While Robert Sanchez made a return between the sticks having been dropped for Monday’s win against West Ham for Filip Jorgensen. The Spaniard didn’t cover himself in glory for Rutter’s goal, as he was beaten to claiming a simple cross by Trevoh Chalobah in a breakdown of communication before the resulting cross that found Rutter came in.
Nkunku role
Christopher Nkunku was brought into the starting line-up by Maresca in the absence of Nicolas Jackson, who missed the trip due to a minor issue. But even if the Senegalese were fit, Nkunku still probably would have been given the nod in the cup.
A January window of regular transfer speculation saw Nkunku seemingly have the chance to leave Chelsea with his 18 months at the club being a constant frustration of poor form and injuries.
And yet again, the Frenchman showed he does not fit the bill. Playing as the side’s focal point, Nkunku was often too deep, which is unsurprising given his more natural position is the one held by Cole Palmer, which he has no chance of taking unless the Blues’ star player is unavailable for any reason.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
What a complete waste of money. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was signed by Maresca for £30million having played under the Italian at Leicester City, and somehow being deemed good enough for Chelsea.
The 26-year-old has started just one of the six Premier League games he’s played and was given a rare chance from the off against Brighton. Having been booked and devoid of adding any life into the Chelsea performance, he was hooked off before the hour mark for Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea fans made their feelings clear about the uncapped Englishman on X, with one user saying: “Dewsbury-Hall is up there for one of the worst signings we’ve made, the fact we let Gallagher, and even Chukwuemeka go to accommodate him shows how far we’ve fallen as a club, standards are on the floor now”.
While a second frustrated supporter added: “Dewsbury Hall, what an absolute nothing player. Signed on Maresca’s recommendation because he could help people adapt to his ‘system.’”
Daily Star Sunday
Chelsea are out of the FA Cup after losing on the south coast against Brighton on a frustrating night for Enzo Maresca, who was forced into making a number of changes
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are out of the FA Cup after being beaten 2-1 by Brighton on Saturday night.
Chelsea travelled to the south coast to take on Albion in an all-Premier League FA Cup match-up. Despite being in the cup, both sides fielded strong teams with Maresca only opting to make a small number of changes.
The Blues got off to the perfect start thanks to a howler from Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal. Cole Palmer’s volleyed pass across the six-yard box was turned into his own goal by Verbruggen. The Dutchman was under no pressure but spilt the straightforward cross into his own net, making a complete mess of the situation.
However, their lead didn’t last long, a brilliant header from Georginio Rutter put the hosts back on level terms just seven minutes later in a half that fizzled out following a rapid start to proceedings.
A complete defensive mishap saw Kaoru Mitoma put the Seagulls ahead shortly before the hour mark. Chelsea pushed forward and created a number of half chances, but never really looked as if they were going to find an equaliser as their sole hopes of a trophy this season come in the Conference League.
Ever-changing backline
It’s quite obvious that Maresca is unhappy with his defensive options, as the Italian again opted to name a changed backline.
Reece James was not involved in the squad as concerns over his fitness were raised again as Malo Gusto came into the side, with his performance making it plainly obvious the drop off when the Blues don’t have their captain to call on.
While Robert Sanchez made a return between the sticks having been dropped for Monday’s win against West Ham for Filip Jorgensen. The Spaniard didn’t cover himself in glory for Rutter’s goal, as he was beaten to claiming a simple cross by Trevoh Chalobah in a breakdown of communication before the resulting cross that found Rutter came in.
Nkunku role
Christopher Nkunku was brought into the starting line-up by Maresca in the absence of Nicolas Jackson, who missed the trip due to a minor issue. But even if the Senegalese were fit, Nkunku still probably would have been given the nod in the cup.
A January window of regular transfer speculation saw Nkunku seemingly have the chance to leave Chelsea with his 18 months at the club being a constant frustration of poor form and injuries.
And yet again, the Frenchman showed he does not fit the bill. Playing as the side’s focal point, Nkunku was often too deep, which is unsurprising given his more natural position is the one held by Cole Palmer, which he has no chance of taking unless the Blues’ star player is unavailable for any reason.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
What a complete waste of money. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was signed by Maresca for £30million having played under the Italian at Leicester City, and somehow being deemed good enough for Chelsea.
The 26-year-old has started just one of the six Premier League games he’s played and was given a rare chance from the off against Brighton. Having been booked and devoid of adding any life into the Chelsea performance, he was hooked off before the hour mark for Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea fans made their feelings clear about the uncapped Englishman on X, with one user saying: “Dewsbury-Hall is up there for one of the worst signings we’ve made, the fact we let Gallagher, and even Chukwuemeka go to accommodate him shows how far we’ve fallen as a club, standards are on the floor now”.
While a second frustrated supporter added: “Dewsbury Hall, what an absolute nothing player. Signed on Maresca’s recommendation because he could help people adapt to his ‘system.’”
Daily Star Sunday