3. Enzo Maresca’s Approach
The last time Chelsea faced a Premier League team in a cup competition this season was in the EFL Cup round of 16, where they lost to Newcastle United away. It was a poor performance, but the real concern was Maresca’s approach to the match. Chelsea looked tactically unprepared, and despite being 2-0 down, he made just one substitution.
That game felt similar to Chelsea’s struggles after their win against Brentford earlier in the season, a run in which they won just one of their next seven matches. During that period, Maresca’s tactics, in-game management, and substitutions were all widely criticized. It will be interesting to see how he approaches the Brighton match, as it’s another cup competition where progression is on the line.