Enzo Maresca expresses frustration over €50M star for awful performance against Brighton after Being Eliminated from the FA Cup

Chelsea faced a disappointing exit from the FA Cup after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Brighton during the fourth round at the Amex Stadium. Despite taking an early lead, the Blues were unable to maintain their advantage and ultimately fell short in their efforts to advance further in the competition.

The match began with a moment of fortune for Chelsea when Cole Palmer forced a comical own goal by Brighton’s goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen. However, this lead was short-lived, as Brighton equalized just eight minutes later.

In the second half, Kaoru Mitoma scored to give the Seagulls a crucial lead. Chelsea struggled to respond effectively and failed to mount a meaningful comeback, appearing largely ineffective in their attempts to regain control of the game.

Manager Enzo Maresca would likely have been frustrated by his team’s lack of creativity and attacking threat, particularly given the injuries to key forwards Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu. This defeat highlighted ongoing concerns about Chelsea’s offensive capabilities.

The Chelsea Chronicle provided player ratings for the match, assessing the individual performances of Chelsea’s squad.

Player Ratings:

Robert Sanchez (6/10):
The goalkeeper was helpless to prevent either of Brighton’s goals but once again appeared unconvincing when playing out from the back. Fans may feel Filip Jorgensen should be given a chance as the first-choice keeper.

Malo Gusto (4/10):
Struggled throughout the match, facing difficulties against both Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey. Chelsea clearly missed Reece James, whose return from injury cannot come soon enough.

Tosin Adarabioyo (6/10):
Solid in the first half, although he appeared under pressure on the ball after halftime. His role in Brighton’s second goal did not reflect well on him.

Trevoh Chalobah (6/10):
Accurate with his passing and relatively comfortable defensively. He demonstrated that he could remain a key part of the team moving forward.

Marc Cucurella (6/10):
Faced a hostile reception from Brighton fans but defended competently against Yankuba Minteh.

Moises Caicedo (7/10):
Handled Brighton’s pressing well, frequently retaining possession under pressure. He delivered an impressive long pass to Christopher Nkunku that deserved an assist.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (6/10):
Found good positions as Palmer played deeper, but it remains uncertain whether he can become a long-term option for Maresca.

Pedro Neto (6/10):
Showed early promise with his pace and created a chance for Chelsea. His substitution was puzzling, given he was their most threatening attacker.

Cole Palmer (6/10):
Credited for forcing the early goal but was not as impactful as usual. Both he and Nkunku tended to drop into similar positions, reducing their effectiveness.

Jadon Sancho (5/10):
Largely ineffective on the left wing, providing little threat. His ongoing struggles will concern the manager.

Christopher Nkunku (5/10):
Given the role of leading the line but failed to make a strong case for continuing in the position. He squandered a key opportunity in the first half by opting to pass instead of taking a shot.

Substitutes:

Enzo Fernandez (6/10):
Helped Chelsea increase their tempo after Brighton’s second goal. Had a decent chance on his left foot but missed the target.

Tyrique George (5/10):
Made little impact after coming on, with his most notable moment being a wildly off-target shot.

Noni Madueke (5/10):
His substitution for Neto allowed Lamptey to have an easier time at left-back. Madueke is currently struggling to secure a place in the starting lineup.

The match revealed significant areas for improvement for Chelsea as they seek to overcome their injury issues and rediscover their attacking flair in future competitions.