Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has admitted it was “difficult” for his team to play without a proper number nine.

With Nicolas Jackson out with a hamstring injury for up to eight weeks, Maresca was forced to play Christopher Nkunku upfront, as they lost 3-0 to Brighton on Friday night.

The Blues failed to record a shot on target for the entire duration of the game, as they suffered back-to-back losses at the Amex.“It is difficult when you don’t have a proper number nine.

“So you always have to find a different solution. In the last third we struggled doing things that until a week or two ago we were doing well.

“This is the worst moment since I arrived but we are still there and we need to finish in the best way,” Maresca said.

Kaoru Mitoma opened the scoring for Brighton in the first half with a fine finish.

Yakunba Minteh grabbed two goals either side of the break to seal an emphatic win for the Seagulls.


https://dailypost.ng/2025/02/15/epl-why-chelsea-lost-3-0-to-brighton-maresca/