Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca labeled his team's 3-0 defeat to Brighton as their worst performance under his tenure. Struggling with injuries, the Blues failed to register a shot on target. Maresca blamed the lack of strikers for their struggles, urging a response ahead of their crucial clash with Aston Villa.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has described his team’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton as their worst performance under his leadership. The Blues struggled throughout the game at the Amex Stadium, failing to register a single shot on target, as Brighton capitalized on their weaknesses.
Chelsea entered the match hoping to close the gap on the top four, but their plans quickly unraveled. Kaoru Mitoma opened the scoring in the first half, setting the tone for a dominant Brighton display. Without key strikers like Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu due to injuries, Chelsea lacked a focal point in attack. Christopher Nkunku, playing as a makeshift striker, was unable to make an impact.
Speaking after the match, Maresca admitted that injuries have severely affected his squad, particularly in the attacking department. “This is probably our worst performance since I arrived,” he told BBC Sport. “We struggled to create chances, and without a proper number nine, finding solutions is difficult.”
Chelsea had been in strong form late last year but have now won just three of their last 11 matches in all competitions. Their recent struggles have put their top-four ambitions in jeopardy, with several key games ahead.
With a week before their next match against Aston Villa, Maresca emphasized the need to regroup and find a way to overcome their injury crisis. The upcoming fixture will be crucial as Chelsea look to get their season back on track after a disappointing night at Brighton.
