Chelsea must deploy new tactics to silence 'outstanding' Brighton star, he gives Enzo Maresca nightmares
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Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media
Harri Burton
Thu 25 September 2025 13:50, UK
Enzo Maresca will be aiming to avoid yet another repeat against one of Brighton’s stars when Chelsea welcome them to Stamford Bridge.
Back-to-back defeats against Bayern Munich and Man United have left some supporters frustrated, and after Robert Sanchez was sent off at Old Trafford, the manager’s lack of experience got the better of him.
Still, the Blues are sitting sixth in the Premier League table, just two points off a Champions League spot.
Now, Chelsea must face Brighton on Saturday, 27 September, to get their form back on track.
That has been made all the more difficult after Cole Palmer limped off against Man United, joining Levi Colwill and Liam Delap on the sidelines, and Maresca will be experiencing sleepless nights before the clash.
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During Fabian Hurzeler‘s reign at the Amex Stadium, the Seagulls have faced Chelsea on three occasions, claiming victory in two of them, and being dominated by a first-half quadruple of goals from Palmer in the other.
He has also beaten Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe twice during his spell in England, so he could set a new personal record at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Kaoru Mitoma has been a constant threat for the Seagulls during this time, notching 12 goals and five assists, but the Japan international has become an obvious target for all clubs in the Premier League.
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Using the tricky winger as a distraction, it is Georginio Rutter who Maresca needs to worry most about, having not only been burnt by the Frenchman during his time as Chelsea’s manager.
Branded as “outstanding” by Daniel Farke during his time at Leeds United [Leeds Press], Rutter has caused plenty of damage to Maresca, not just at Chelsea but also when he was Leicester City boss.
The 23-year-old scored the only goal of a 1-0 win for the Whites back in November 2023, a goal which nearly derailed the Foxes’ charge for the Championship title, as well as promotion.
After both moved to the Premier League, their personal battle has continued, and in the three meetings between Maresca and Hurzeler, Rutter has notched three goal contributions – two goals and one assist.
Man-marking is a rarely-seen tactic in football now, but if the Blues want to ensure victory, putting Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo on the Frenchman could be a crucial decision from the Chelsea manager.