Enzo Maresca says Chelsea discovered undroppable star during Brighton FA Cup defeat

Chelsea suffered a 2-1 decision to Brighton successful the FA Cup 4th round, with Enzo Maresca starting Christopher Nkunku up beforehand alternatively of injured striker Nicolas Jackson

Enzo Maresca claimed Chelsea missed Nicolas Jackson arsenic the Blues crashed retired of the FA Cup astatine Brighton.

The Italian, who revealed Jackson should beryllium acceptable to look Albion adjacent Friday erstwhile Chelsea are backmost astatine the Amex successful Premier League action, said: "Sometimes I deliberation you request to play immoderate games without players to realise however important they are.

"Off the ball, his pressing is ever precise bully and connected the shot helium is simply a menace always. We started precise good, controlled and created immoderate chances. The 2nd fractional much oregon little happened the same. If determination is thing bully aft a decision is present we tin beryllium focused connected the Premier League and Conference."

Maresca besides claimed Chelsea person to endure successful bid to execute large things successful the future. The Italian said of his side's exit: "For me, a bully play is seeing the squad improving crippled aft game; spell done atrocious moments, difficulty, it is the lone mode this nine tin vie for thing important."

The erstwhile Leicester brag besides defended the club's determination to nonstop Joao Felix connected indebtedness to AC Milan connected a nighttime successful which his broadside looked blunt successful attack. When asked if helium could unrecorded to regret the determination and besides sending different players retired connected indebtedness specified arsenic Renato Veiga, helium explained: "I don't deliberation we miss Joao.

"Joao is blessed determination and we are blessed Joao is blessed there. We had 2 striker injuries connected deadline day, it is thing hard to deliberation about. Nico tin beryllium backmost precise soon."

Brighton brag Fabian Hurzeler hailed his Albion troops for the unity they displayed to topple Chelsea. The young German, who made conscionable 1 alteration from past Saturday's record-breaking 7-0 hammering astatine Nottingham Forest, got the cleanable effect from his stars arsenic they came from down to swat the Blues aside.

Should Chelsea person fto Joao Felix articulation AC Milan connected loan? Have your accidental successful the comments section.

He said: "I americium truly arrogant of however we bounced backmost from a large loss. I americium arrogant of however they stuck together. It is precise important not to overreact to setbacks. I stayed calm. We analysed the reasons."

Hurzeler picked retired 2 standout players for their efforts, however, adding: "We each cognize what we get from Tariq Lamptey, helium is simply a large squad subordinate and enactment successful a precise bully performance. Kaoru Mitoma has besides shown his committedness to this club."

Mitoma, who deed the victor aft Georginio Rutter levelled things up, was precocious the taxable of 2 big-money bids from Saudi Pro League broadside Al-Nassr but the Japan starlet did not privation to permission the Amex and some offers were rebuffed.

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