Chelsea are set to return to Brighton this Saturday in the Premier League, seeking redemption after their FA Cup defeat to the same side last weekend. However, to achieve this, Enzo Maresca’s team will need a more potent attacking performance than what they’ve shown in recent weeks.
Striker Injuries Force Tactical Adjustments
Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, both key attacking players for Chelsea, were injured during the win over West Ham on deadline day. Jackson has been ruled out for about a month with a hamstring injury, leaving Maresca without many centre-forward options for the match at the Amex Stadium. This injury blow adds to the challenge as Chelsea attempt to regroup.
Keeping Faith with Christopher Nkunku
Christopher Nkunku, despite his recent struggles, will likely continue leading the line. While Maresca has emphasized that Nkunku is not a traditional No.9, the French forward remains the most natural fit for the role. Nkunku has a strong goalscoring record, having netted 36 goals in 59 Bundesliga matches with RB Leipzig before joining Chelsea. Even in a difficult season, he has scored 13 goals across all competitions, second only to Cole Palmer in Chelsea’s tally.
However, for Nkunku to thrive as Chelsea’s centre-forward, he must embrace the role fully, resisting the temptation to drop deep and become too involved in the build-up play. In Chelsea’s last match against Brighton, Nkunku completed all his passes but failed to register a shot on goal, suggesting he was too far removed from the areas where he can make an impact.
