Enzo Maresca said he had no regrets about Chelsea’s lack of transfer activity last month despite losing forwards Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu to injury, joining a growing list of unavailable players
Enzo Maresca’s comments backing Christopher Nkunku have backfired after the Frenchman’s poor display in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup.
The Blues were dumped out of the FA Cup in the fourth round by the Seagulls, who came from behind after Bart Verbruggen’s early own goal through Joel Veltman and Georginio Rutter.
Maresca said he had no regrets about Chelsea’s lack of transfer activity last month despite losing forwards Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu to injury, while Joao Felix was loaned out to AC Milan.
The Italian said Nkunku – who was linked with a move away in January – would play more games in the absence of Jackson and promised Chelsea would find “a different solution” up front.
But the former Red Bull Leipzig star was anonymous at the Amex, failing to register a shot and only had one touch in the Brighton penalty area.
Nkunku’s tepid display was something of a humiliation for Maresca after he gave him his backing despite Chelsea’s crisis up front.
When asked about Chelsea’s failure to bring in a new forward in January, he replied: “I said after the West Ham game that the things that we planned in terms of players that had the desire to leave and the players that we need.
“In the end, I think we did all of the things we needed. Before the last game, we had two strikers, Nico and Marc. Sometimes we adapt also Christo [Nkunku] there, but in case both of them are out, we are going to find a different solution.”
Jackson’s hamstring injury is not thought to be serious and could return for their next Premier League game – ironically another trip to Brighton on Friday night – which could see Nkunku immediately return to the bench.
Nkunku was linked with a move to Manchester United last month but now could be set for more frustration on the bench, having only made three starts in the Premier League under Maresca. Jackson, meanwhile, has started all but two of Chelsea’s league games, scoring nine goals and assisting five.
Brutally for Nkunku, Maresca said after the game that Chelsea missed the presence of Jackson. He said: “Sometimes I think you need to play some games without players to realise how important they are. Off the ball, his pressing is always very good and on the ball he is a threat always.”
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