Chelsea’s Injury Concerns and Tactical Struggles Against Brighton
Chelsea faced a tense first half in their FA Cup clash with Brighton, as injury scares and tactical challenges unsettled the Blues. While Moises Caicedo took a knock to the knee, the most concerning moment came when Pedro Neto collapsed off the ball, clutching his ankle. For a brief, alarming moment, there were fears of a serious Achilles injury.
BBC 5Live pundit Matt Jarvis highlighted the significance of Neto’s presence in Chelsea’s attacking setup:
"This is not good for Chelsea because Pedro Neto is a real livewire. Especially in this formation when Christopher Nkunku has to come short, you need someone to run in behind and Neto is that player. He is so direct and dynamic."
After receiving medical treatment, Neto managed to continue, but his movement seemed restricted. Meanwhile, Noni Madueke was seen warming up intensely, hinting at a potential halftime substitution.
Chelsea’s Early Control Fades as Brighton Take Charge
Despite a promising start, Chelsea gradually lost their grip on the game. Brighton began asserting dominance, particularly down the right wing, exposing vulnerabilities in the Blues’ defense.
Jarvis observed the shift in momentum, commenting:
"Brighton are starting to dominate possession here. They’re starting to probe nicely. It’s down the right-hand side with Minteh – he’s getting the better of Cucurella. He’s finding a lot of space. Chelsea aren’t able to keep hold of the ball, they can’t move it through the lines like they did in the opening 10 minutes."
Maresca’s Tactical Adjustments for the Second Half
With Chelsea struggling to maintain their early rhythm, manager Enzo Maresca is expected to tweak his tactics in the second half. Brighton’s growing control suggests Chelsea may need a more compact midfield and better ball retention to regain dominance.
As the match progresses, all eyes will be on how Chelsea responds—whether Neto’s injury forces a change and if Maresca can orchestrate a tactical shift to regain control.
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