Enzo Maresca has provided updates on Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto, who picked up knocks during Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton. The Seagulls stormed past the Blues at the Amex Stadium on Friday night, winning three crucial points in the race for European football.
Kaoru Mitoma fired Brighton ahead inside the opening half an hour before Enzo Fernandez thought he pulled one back for the West Londoners. The Chelsea midfielder’s header was ruled out; he was adjudged to have pushed Joel Veltman in the build-up.
A few moments later, Fabian Hurzeler’s side doubled their lead on the south coast through Yankuba Minteh. Then, in the second half, the 20-year-old winger extended the Seagulls’ lead, putting the final nail in the visitors’ coffin.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Maresca was quizzed on his side’s performance. The Chelsea boss said: “In terms of the way we played on the ball, I do not think it was a worse performance [compared to the 2-1 defeat to Brighton the FA Cup last weekend].
“Result, yes, it was worse than the last one, no doubt. I think we arrived quite well in the last third and then we struggled to create chances. Something up until two or three weeks ago we were doing very well – creating chances, many chances every game.
“In this moment, the bad feeling is that we look that easily we can concede chances and we struggle to create chances. This is the feeling at the moment. The reason why, there are many reasons why. Because of the number nine and the injuries, it is part of that, but in this moment it is like this, but we have 13 games to go and we have to finish in the best way.”
Then, when asked for an update on Madueke and Gusto, Maresca confirmed a worst-case scenario for the former. said: “Malo is okay. Noni, unfortunately it is a hamstring problem, so he will be out for a while.”
Halfway into the first half, Madueke tumbled to the ground before he was helped to his feet by medical staff. While the Chelsea boss may be concerned by the nature of his knock, the 22-year-old winger managed to walk off the pitch without much assistance.
As for Gusto, he simply struggled to impress before taking a knock. With Reece James back in contention, the Frenchman faces an uncertain future in the Chelsea starting lineup.
football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel
Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Chelsea stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!
Click this link to follow the football.london Chelsea WhatsApp channel, where you’ll be kept up to date on the latest Blues news wherever you are.
Just remember to turn on the notifications once you’ve followed, and you won’t miss a beat!
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
