Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca is now going through the actual chance of being with out a “implausible” member of his squad for “months”, with the event described as a “main blow” because the west Londoners put together for his or her FA Cup fourth spherical tie away to Brighton.
Chelsea look to spark FA Cup run with potential Brighton win
Maresca’s facet are one of many favourites to win this yr’s Europa Convention League, however have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle, which means the FA Cup represents their greatest probability of clinching home silverware for the primary time since 2018.
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The west Londoners maintain a critical perception behind-the-scenes.
The Blues journey to Brighton this night with the intention of beating Fabian Hurzeler’s facet and sparking an FA Cup run, however they might must do it with out a few first-team gamers.
Roméo Lavia is about to overlook their conflict on the Amex, probably lining up a debut for January signing Mathis Amougou, whereas Wesley Fofana stays out alongside fellow defender Benoit Badiashile.
|
Chelsea’s subsequent 5 Premier League fixtures |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Brighton (away) |
February 14th |
|
Aston Villa (away) |
February twenty second |
|
Southampton (house) |
February twenty fifth |
|
Leicester Metropolis (house) |
March ninth |
|
Arsenal (away) |
March sixteenth |
Nicolas Jackson can also be an harm doubt to face Brighton, so it’s possible that Christopher Nkunku, who needed to go away Chelsea within the January window, might begin within the Senegal worldwide’s stead.
“Sure, for certain, for certain,” mentioned Maresca on Nkunku enjoying an even bigger Chelsea position shifting ahead. “I spoke already final week about Christo. In opposition to West Ham, he performed already roughly half an hour. To any extent further, he can hopefully get some extra minutes and assist us.
“I used to be with the membership, and we have been certain earlier than the switch window that Christo was one of many gamers that our intention was to maintain him.”
The Frenchman appears to be like set to be much more essential with information now rising that striker Marc Guiu might be going through a prolonged spell on the therapy desk.
Chelsea striker Marc Guiu going through “months” out injured
The Spaniard, signed from Barcelona final summer season, went down injured in opposition to West Ham earlier this week, however Maresca did not assume it critical on the time. Nevertheless, in one other replace, Maresca now says that Guiu might be out for “months” at Chelsea – leaving them probably brief for Brighton tonight and much past.
“Marc Guiu, sadly, it’s a foul harm,” mentioned Maresca in his pre-Brighton press convention.
“Might be [long-term], yeah. We’re nonetheless ready, but it surely doesn’t seem like a brief harm. It’s a protracted harm. Most likely weeks or months.”
Journalist Malik Ouzia describes this information as a “main blow”, particularly contemplating the 19-year-old’s “implausible” growth these days.
“Marc is enhancing lots, to be sincere,” mentioned Maresca on Guiu’s performances this season. “He’s doing implausible. Day after day, he’s extra prepared for that type of recreation. Generally the choice I take is as a result of I see one thing. Generally it’s good, typically it’s not. However Marc, day after day, is extra prepared.”
The teenage striker bagged six targets in six Convention League outings, proving very efficient of their chase for a European trophy, so his absence might be famous regardless of not being a mainstay in Maresca’s beginning eleven.
