“Now I Realize How Important”—Enzo Maresca Says Brighton FA Cup Defeat Made Him Realize One Star Is Undroppable

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has come to a stark realization about his squad following their disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton. Despite taking an early lead, the Blues struggled to maintain control and ultimately fell to defeat, exposing critical flaws in their attacking setup. However, one thing became clear to Maresca—Nicolas Jackson’s absence was more damaging than anticipated.

The Senegalese striker missed the clash due to injury, leaving Chelsea without a focal point in their attack. The team’s lack of pressing intensity and direct threat in the final third underscored just how integral Jackson is to their system. Speaking after the match, Maresca admitted that sometimes it takes a player’s absence to fully appreciate their importance.

“Sometimes you need to play games without certain players to realize how important they are,” Maresca reflected. “Off the ball, his pressing is always very good, and on the ball, he is always a threat.”

Chelsea’s attack looked disjointed in Jackson’s absence, with Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling struggling to provide a consistent goal-scoring threat. Brighton capitalized on Chelsea’s inefficiencies, with Kaoru Mitoma netting the decisive goal to complete a comeback that left the Blues stunned.

Maresca confirmed that Jackson is set to return for Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Brighton next week, a fixture that now carries even greater significance following their cup elimination. The Italian manager remains confident that his team can bounce back but urged patience from the supporters.

“For me, a good season is about seeing the team improve game after game,” Maresca explained. “Going through bad moments and difficulties is the only way this club can compete for something important.”

The defeat has intensified debates over Chelsea’s transfer decisions, particularly the club’s decision to allow João Félix to leave on loan to AC Milan. Many supporters believe Félix’s creativity could have made a difference in their attack, especially given their struggles without Jackson.

However, Maresca dismissed those concerns, insisting that Félix’s departure was not a mistake and that the team can cope without him. “I don’t think we miss João,” Maresca stated. “He is happy there, and we are happy that he is happy. We had two striker injuries on deadline day, which is difficult to plan for, but Nico will be back very soon.”

While Chelsea were left ruing their missed opportunities, Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler was ecstatic with his side’s response. Coming off a humiliating 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, the Seagulls showed resilience and character to overturn Chelsea’s lead and secure a crucial victory.

“I am really proud of how we bounced back from a big loss,” Hürzeler said. “It is very important not to overreact to setbacks.”

The German manager singled out two players for praise—Tariq Lamptey and Kaoru Mitoma. Mitoma, in particular, drew admiration for his match-winning performance, having recently turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to stay at Brighton.

Mitoma’s decision to reject the move was a huge boost for Brighton, reinforcing their ambition to compete at the highest level. His commitment paid off against Chelsea, as his decisive goal not only secured victory but also reignited Brighton’s belief after a rough patch in form.

For Chelsea, this loss adds to the growing scrutiny over Maresca’s tactics and squad selection. The team’s inability to sustain attacking pressure without Jackson has highlighted the lack of depth in the striker position. With Armando Broja and Christopher Nkunku also dealing with fitness concerns, the burden on Jackson upon his return will be immense.

The upcoming Premier League clash against Brighton will be a crucial test for Maresca’s men. Chelsea cannot afford another setback, especially with the top-four race heating up. A win could restore confidence and set the tone for the rest of the season, while another defeat would increase the pressure on the manager and his tactical approach.

Maresca’s philosophy has been about steady improvement, but fans are growing impatient for results. Chelsea’s expensive rebuild under new ownership has yet to yield tangible success, and the expectation remains that the club should be competing at the highest level.

With Jackson’s return imminent, Chelsea will be hoping for a much-needed boost in attack. However, their overreliance on the Senegalese striker raises concerns about the team’s long-term planning. Without a reliable backup, Chelsea could find themselves struggling whenever Jackson is unavailable.

As Maresca navigates this challenging period, one thing is certain—Chelsea cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that led to their FA Cup exit. The Premier League offers them a chance for redemption, but they must show resilience, adaptability, and a ruthless edge in front of goal.

Brighton, on the other hand, will approach the league rematch with confidence. Their FA Cup victory has given them momentum, and they will look to exploit Chelsea’s weaknesses once again. Maresca and his team must be ready to respond, or risk falling further behind in the race for European qualification.