Chelsea are facing a striker shortage ahead of tonight’s FA Cup clash with Brighton, with Marc Guiu ruled out and Nicolas Jackson a major doubt.
The pair were both injured during Monday night’s 2-1 win over West Ham and Maresca issued a downbeat assessment during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
With Joao Felix having been loaned to AC Milan on deadline day, and Mykhailo Mudryk provisionally suspended following a failed drugs test, Maresca suddenly looks short on options in attack.
Christopher Nkunku looks set to lead the line at the Amex, with Enzo Maresca confident the Frenchman is ready to step up despite heavy speculation he could be sold in January.
“Against West Ham he played half an hour and hopefully from now on he can more minutes,” Maresca said. “I was with the club altogether, we were sure before the window that Christo was one of the players who are intention was to keep him.”
Romeo Lavia also remains out with a muscle problem, while Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are longer-term absentees.
Chelsea predicted XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Nkunku
Injured: Guiu, Lavia, Fofana, Badiashile
Doubts: Jackson
Unavailable: Mudryk
Time and date: 8pm GMT on Saturday, February 8, 2025
Venue: Amex Stadium, Falmer
TV channel and live stream: ITV4 and ITVX
