February 9th 2025.
Enzo Maresca's team has been struggling to find their form as of late. Their recent defeat in the FA Cup against Brighton saw them being criticized for their lacklustre performance, with Christopher Nkunku being labeled as a "total waste of money". Despite taking the lead in the match, Enzo Maresca's side was eventually knocked out of the cup competition by Brighton, extending their poor run of form to just three wins in their last ten games in all competitions.
Despite fielding a strong team, Chelsea failed to impress in front of their fans, managing only two shots on target throughout the entire match. With key players like Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu injured, Maresca gave Nkunku a rare opportunity to lead the line for Chelsea. However, the Frenchman failed to make an impact once again, raising questions about his future at the club. Nkunku had been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window, having started only three Premier League games so far this season. Pundits like former Chelsea player Craig Burley criticized Nkunku's performance, stating that he did not do enough to warrant more playing time.
Speaking about the match, Burley highlighted Chelsea's lack of cutting edge and mentioned how Nkunku's performance was disappointing. He also pointed out the team's vulnerability at the back, saying that they were looking "fragile". Burley also discussed Chelsea's title race earlier in the season, stating that their recent performances have been a far cry from their initial form. He also criticized their possession-based style of play, stating that they did not do much with the ball despite having more possession than Brighton.
Despite their recent struggles, Chelsea are still in contention for a top-four spot in the Premier League. However, Burley warned that Maresca might soon find himself under pressure if the team's performances do not improve soon. He mentioned the club's tendency to make "random and rash decisions" and pointed out that Maresca could be in danger of losing his job if Chelsea continue to slip down the table and fail in Europe.
After the match, Maresca admitted that his team missed the presence of Nicolas Jackson in attack. He also praised the Senegalese international for his intensity and threat on the ball. However, he also mentioned that the team did well without Jackson and created chances but failed to convert them. Looking ahead, Maresca said that the team can now focus on their upcoming Premier League and Conference League matches. Despite the defeat, there is still hope for Chelsea to turn things around and improve their form in the near future.
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