Chelsea Face Crucial Test Against Resilient Brighton
Chelsea have a chance to solidify their position in the top four when they visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday. However, it won’t be an easy task, as the same team that eliminated them from the FA Cup just days ago will be looking to frustrate them again at the Amex Stadium.
Losing to Brighton last weekend was a setback, but Chelsea’s interim manager, Enzo Maresca, remains optimistic about the team’s progress. “Unfortunately, we are out of both domestic cups, but our journey in the Premier League until today has been fantastic,” he said. “We will try to finish in the best way we can.”
The Blues are currently fourth in the league, just two points ahead of Manchester City and Newcastle United. With the race for Champions League qualification heating up, Chelsea cannot afford to slip up.
Away Form a Concern for Chelsea
Chelsea’s away form has been an issue. They have not won a Premier League match on the road since their thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in December. Their last four away games have ended in draws and defeats, raising questions about their ability to perform under pressure.
Brighton’s home record is also not as strong as they would like. They have not won a Premier League match at the Amex Stadium since beating Manchester City in November. Despite their FA Cup triumph over Chelsea, their form in the league has been inconsistent, with just two wins in their last 12 matches.
However, Brighton’s performance in last weekend’s win showed their resilience. After conceding an early goal due to a goalkeeping error, they responded well, equalizing quickly before securing victory through Kaoru Mitoma’s second-half strike. This performance will give them confidence that they can trouble Chelsea again.
Maresca will need a response from his players. “Don’t forget, in the last two years, Chelsea have never been top four, and this year, we spent almost the entire year in the top four,” he pointed out. “This shows you and everyone that we are in the right direction.” A win here would reinforce their position and rebuild confidence after their FA Cup disappointment.
Selection issues remain a concern for Chelsea. Christopher Nkunku may be asked to play a bigger role, but Maresca insists he is not a natural striker. “Christo is not a No.9,” he said. “We use him as a nine to find a solution, but we know very well that he is not a proper nine.” Without Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea will have to adapt their attacking approach.
There is also uncertainty in goal. Filip Jorgensen has started Chelsea’s last two matches, but Maresca has yet to confirm whether he will remain first choice over Robert Sanchez. A stable defensive setup will be key to avoiding another frustrating evening at the Amex.
Despite their setbacks, Chelsea still have control over their Champions League push. “We will try our best to bring this club to where it belongs – in the Champions League,” Maresca said.
However, Brighton have already shown they are more than capable of causing problems. The Blues will need to be at their best to secure a crucial victory and maintain their top-four position.
