Chelsea signing set for extended spell out: Three decisions Enzo Maresca got badly wrong vs Brighton
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(Credit: Imago)
Ben Palmer
Sat 27 September 2025 17:28, UK
Chelsea were unable to deal with Trevoh Chalobah’s red card as they lost 3-1 in the dying moments against Brighton.
Chelsea slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Man United last time out, in large part thanks to an early red card for Robert Sanchez.
Having been touted as potential dark horse challengers for the Premier League title, the Blues were looking to rectify the mistakes that were made at Old Trafford.
However, several key decisions that Enzo Maresca got wrong proved pivotal as Brighton fought back from a goal down to claim victory at Stamford Bridge on 27 September.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Enzo Fernandez, and it’s easy to see why.
The Argentina international has solidified himself as one of the Premier League’s best number eights and he opened the scoring from the number 10 position.
However, whilst Fernandez is blossoming and with Cole Palmer still missing for Chelsea due to injury, Joao Pedro has been forced to resume his duties as a number nine.
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Whilst Fernandez oozed confidence against Brighton, the Brazilian forward looked unsure of himself when on the ball and failed to find threatening positions.
Maresca must find a way to move Pedro back to the number 10 role, or drop him entirely as the Blues look impotent offensively without a true number nine.
The summer signing from Brighton is now surely set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Jorrel Hato was a target for the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal this summer, but it was Chelsea who eventually won the battle to sign the heralded Dutch youngster.
The plan initially was for the 19-year-old to be eased into action at Stamford Bridge, primarily acting as cover for Marc Cucurella at left-back.
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However, plans change, and injuries to Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo forced Maresca into finding an alternative option at centre-back.
The Italian manager settled on Hato, but it was the former Ajax man who allowed Danny Welbeck a free header to equalise for the away side, showing his lack of positional experience and ultimately costing Chelsea.
Trevoh Chalobah was sent off for a last-man tackle on Diego Gomez, and whilst Maresca won’t have been best pleased, the England international had few other options in truth.
The Italian boss’ response to losing his centre-back was initially good.
Josh Acheampong was brought in to replace Andrey Santos, and Estevao was moved up front.
Trevoh Chalobah was sent off in Chelsea’s loss to Brighton.
(Credit Imago)
The Brazilian pressed like a maniac, disrupting Brighton’s build-up play and protecting Chelsea’s softened underbelly.
But Estevao was then taken off for Malo Gusto, and that defence from the front disappeared.
It is no coincidence that Brighton really began to assert themselves after the teenager’s removal and Maresca will be kicking himself for costing his side a win with that decision.