Enzo Maresca claimed Chelsea missed Nicolas Jackson as the Blues crashed out of the FA Cup at Brighton.
The Italian, who revealed Jackson should be fit to face Albion next Friday when Chelsea are back at the Amex in Premier League action, said: “Sometimes I think you need to play some games without players to realise how important they are.
“Off the ball, his pressing is always very good and on the ball he is a threat always. We started very good, controlled and created some chances. The second half more or less happened the same. If there is something good after a defeat is now we can be focused on the Premier League and Conference.”
Maresca also claimed Chelsea have to suffer in order to achieve great things in the future. The Italian said of his side’s exit: “For me, a good season is seeing the team improving game after game; go through bad moments, difficulty, it is the only way this club can compete for something important.”
The former Leicester boss also defended the club’s decision to send Joao Felix on loan to AC Milan on a night in which his side looked blunt in attack. When asked if he could live to regret the decision and also sending other players out on loan such as Renato Veiga, he explained: “I don’t think we miss Joao.
“Joao is happy there and we are happy Joao is happy there. We had two striker injuries on deadline day, it is something difficult to think about. Nico can be back very soon.”
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler hailed his Albion troops for the unity they displayed to topple Chelsea. The young German, who made just one change from last Saturday’s record-breaking 7-0 hammering at Nottingham Forest, got the perfect response from his stars as they came from behind to swat the Blues aside.
He said: “I am really proud of how we bounced back from a big loss. I am proud of how they stuck together. It is very important not to overreact to setbacks. I stayed calm. We analysed the reasons.”
Hurzeler picked out two standout players for their efforts, however, adding: “We all know what we get from Tariq Lamptey, he is a great team player and put in a very good performance. Kaoru Mitoma has also shown his commitment to this club.”
Mitoma, who hit the winner after Georginio Rutter levelled things up, was recently the subject of two big-money bids from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr but the Japan starlet did not want to leave the Amex and both offers were rebuffed.
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