AFCON 2025
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that playing without a proper number nine was “difficult” for his team.
The Blues’ first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson is out with a hamstring injury for up to eight weeks, and 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 game, as they suffered back-to-back losses at the Amex.
“It is difficult when you don’t have a proper number nine, which means you always have to find a different solution. In the last third.
“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.
