Chelsea face Brighton on Saturday night in an anticipated FA Cup tie. As is customary, head coach Enzo Maresca previewed the game with the press.
Despite being a short conference, Strictly Chelsea picked up five key points worth noting. Here are the insights from Maresca’s presser ahead of the Brighton match.
Chelsea vs Brighton: Key Takeaways from Enzo Maresca’s Press Conference
1. Potential Striker Shortage
Maresca confirmed that both Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson are dealing with injuries, raising concerns about Chelsea’s attacking options. Guiu’s condition appears severe, potentially sidelining him for weeks or even months, while Jackson is showing signs of improvement but remains a doubt for the upcoming fixture.
This situation leaves Chelsea with limited choices up front, possibly forcing Maresca to explore alternative attacking strategies.
“No, because we are still waiting. It doesn’t look a short injury, it looks a long injury. Exactly how long, we don’t know. Probably weeks or months.”
With Chelsea potentially missing both of their primary strikers, Maresca hinted at tactical adjustments. He reassured fans that they have solutions, including Christopher Nkunku filling in as a striker if necessary.
“Yes, absolutely. Before the last game, we had two strikers, Nico and Marc. Sometimes we adapt also Christo [Nkunku] there, but in case both of them are out, we are going to find a different solution.”
This means Chelsea may need to experiment with a new attacking setup against Brighton, possibly relying on Nkunku or even a false nine approach.
2. Nkunku’s Time to Shine
With João Félix’s departure to AC Milan on loan and the current striker injuries, Christopher Nkunku is poised to play a more prominent role.
Despite showcasing his abilities in the Conference League, Nkunku has often found himself on the bench in Premier League matches. Maresca acknowledged Nkunku’s importance, reinforcing that he was never considered for a transfer.
“Absolutely. I was with the club, and we were sure before the transfer window that Christo was one of the players that our intention was to keep him.”
Nkunku has been steadily regaining fitness after his injury setback earlier in the season. Maresca is optimistic about his contributions moving forward.
“Yes, for sure, for sure. I spoke already last week about Christo. Against West Ham, he played already more or less half an hour. From now on, he can hopefully get some more minutes and help us.”
This suggests that Nkunku will play a key role in Chelsea’s attack in the coming weeks, possibly starting against Brighton.
3. Confidence in Transfer Decisions
Despite the current injury challenges, Maresca expressed no regrets about Chelsea’s January transfer activities. He emphasized that the club accomplished its objectives and stood by their decisions.
“I said after the West Ham game that the things that we planned in terms of players that had the desire to leave and the players that we need. In the end, I think we did all of the things we needed.”
This confidence suggests that Maresca believes the current squad has the depth and quality to navigate the challenges ahead.
While some fans may have hoped for additional signings, the manager seems assured that Chelsea have the right players to compete effectively.
4. Defensive Balance a Priority
Maresca highlighted the importance of maintaining defensive stability, especially when integrating attacking players. Discussing Félix’s departure, he made it clear that his decision was based on team structure rather than individual talent.
“Nothing happened. Players train every day and want to play all of the games, but unfortunately, there are just 11 playing all of the games. We decided, all together, that it was a good option for him to leave.”
Furthermore, he stressed that having too many attacking players can expose the team defensively.
“We need defensive balance, and when you have so many attacking players, you can concede transitions, and I don’t like that.”
This statement reinforces Maresca’s tactical philosophy—while attacking talent is valuable, defensive solidity remains a priority. The departure of Félix may have been part of an effort to maintain a better overall balance within the squad.
5. Lavia’s Potential Return
On a positive note, Maresca provided an update on Romeo Lavia’s fitness, stating that the midfielder will be available for selection against Brighton. However, a decision on whether Lavia will start will be made after the final training session.
“No. Romeo is still in the process to come back, but there’s still a long way to go.”
This development offers a boost to Chelsea’s midfield options ahead of the FA Cup tie. While Lavia’s return may not be immediate, his availability provides more depth in midfield, an area where Chelsea have struggled with injuries this season.
Final Thoughts
Chelsea’s injury concerns continue to mount, but Maresca remains optimistic about his squad’s ability to adapt. Nkunku’s increased role, the club’s confidence in their transfer decisions, and the priority placed on defensive balance highlight the key themes from this press conference.
With Brighton posing a tough challenge, Chelsea will need to make the most of their available players to secure progress in the FA Cup.
Would you have made different decisions in the transfer window? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
