Fabian Hurzeler provides injury update on Brighton star who could decide Chelsea clash
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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media/Manh Tung, Breaking Media.)
Ciaran Morrison
Fri 26 September 2025 21:30, UK
Fabian Hurzeler’s injury update has given Brighton fans cautious optimism that one player could make the difference against Chelsea.
Brighton’s victory over Man City is their only in the Premier League this season as the Seagulls have amassed just five points from their opening five games.
Cole Palmer scored four goals against Brighton in this fixture last season, but Hurzeler’s side have won the last two meetings.
Palmer though is out for Chelsea until after the international break in a huge blow for Enzo Maresca, and a boost to Brighton to claim just their second ever victory at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Hurzeler confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Yankuba Minteh would be available for this weekend’s match, as per BBC Sport [26 September].
“Minteh he had some days off to recover.
He trained yesterday so he will be fine.”
Minteh has a goal and assist in his past two Premier League games, with his strike against Spurs exploiting their high line with his pace.
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The 21-year-old will be confident of causing left-back Marc Cucurella problems, with a dribbling success rate of 73.7% this season.
Yankuba MintehStatsMinutes Played413Progressive Carries42Dribbles Attempted19Dribbles Completed14Fouls Won8Yankuba Minteh’s attacking stats in the 2025-26 Premier League.Yankuba Minteh’s heat map in the 2025-26 Premier League.
Five of his progressive carries have ended in a shot, and Minteh likes to stay high up the pitch and close to the touchline.
Cucurella has struggled against his opponents this season and the Spaniard was substituted with 25 minutes remaining against Man United, with Bryan Mbeumo causing the 27-year-old problems, which Minteh will also be looking to do.
Marc CucurellaStatsMinutes Played358Dribbled Past6Fouls Conceded7Duels Success Rate50%Marc Cucurella’s defensive stats in the 2025-26 Premier League.
Whilst Palmer stole the show at Stamford Bridge last season, Minteh was the difference at the AMEX in the reverse fixture, scoring twice in a 3-0 Brighton win.
Minteh has an xG this season of 1.25 and likes to go for goal himself, with his cross accuracy standing at 11.1%.
Cucurella will have to be wary about letting Minteh drive into the penalty area, as the forward will not be afraid to have a shot on goal.
Maresca is facing an injury crisis at centre-back with 19-year-old Josh Acheampong expected to partner Trveoh Chalobah.
Robert Sanchez will be back in goal after serving his suspension against Lincoln in the Caraboa Cup, but if Cucurella does not deal with Minteh then it could be a long afternoon for Chelsea defensively.