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Enzo Maresca had a brilliant start to life as a Premier League manager, guiding Chelsea on a brilliant run where they only lost to Manchester City and Liverpool in their opening 17 fixtures, leaving them second in the division behind Liverpool.

Many of the Blues’ best players started the season in red-hot form, with Nicolas Jackson scoring consistently, Cole Palmer doing what he does best, and the likes of Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernández also chipping in with some important goals.

However, in recent weeks, the goals seem to have dried up, which could force the Chelsea directors to look into the transfer market, after missing out on an additional striker signing in the summer, which was clearly something they wanted after such intense interest in Victor Osimhen.

With the January window heading into its last week, the Blues will have a decision to make, whether they look to strike now or begin the groundwork to sign their striker of choice come the summer.

Chelsea looking at Premier League striker

According to reports from Simon Johnson (quoting Journalist Ben Jacobs, who spoke on an X space), Chelsea are currently in pole position to sign Ipswich Town striker, Liam Delap, although they may have to wait until the summer to do so.

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Jacobs stated: “I think Chelsea are in pole position for Liam Delap, and I think they are ahead of other clubs in terms of player buy-in. One for the summer.”

This suggests Chelsea are looking to do the groundwork now in order to bring Delap to the club in the summer and compete with Jackson.

This corroborates reports from Simon Phillips who who suggests that talks have taken place between the two parties regarding a deal. A cash move could take place with midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka also heading in the opposite direction.

Delap – valued at £50m – has made 23 appearances for the Tractor Boys so far this campaign, scoring eight goals, providing two assists and totalling 1,705 minutes played in his debut Premier League campaign.

How Liam Delap compares to Nicolas Jackson

Much of the goal-scoring onus has been on Jackson this season, of course, alongside Palmer, and up to now he has done well to cope with it, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 23 appearances this season.

His overall work both on and off the ball makes him a good fit for Maresca’s system, but the Blues clearly need a plan B when the Senegal international isn’t firing.

Christopher Nkunku has been used as another striker option this season, but a mixture of his lack of off-ball work rate, his tendency to want the ball into his feet rather than making runs in behind and the fact he isn’t a natural centre-forward makes it hard for Maresca to get the best from him.

Delap vs Jackson comparison

Stats (per 90 mins)

Delap

Jackson

Goals

0.43

0.48

Assists

0.11

0.27

xG

0.34

0.60

G-xG

+0.09

-0.12

Progressive Carries

1.88

2.14

Progressive Passes

0.97

1.34

Shots Total

1.87

3.26

Goals/Shot

0.17

0.15

Key Passes

0.91

1.23

Shot-Creating Actions

2.20

3.10

Aerial Duels Won

1.77

0.64

Stats taken from FBref

When comparing the metrics of both strikers, you can instantly see Jackson is contributing more in the build-up, completing more progressive actions (passes and carries), creating more for others with his key passes and shot-creating actions, and providing assists for the team.

However, in key metrics, Delap does come out on top, winning more aerial duels and finishing at a better rate (0.17 to 0.15 when comparing their goals/shot ratio).

Delap has been described as a one-man “battering ram” by Opta Analyst this season, analysing his tall, stocky build and physical prowess, mixed with his ability to carry the ball and affect the game with his excellent ball-striking.

The signing of Delap – a “super talent” in the eyes of pundit Danny Murphy – would clearly bring some much-needed physical attributes in the striker department, bringing a different profile to Jackson and therefore allowing Maresca to make tactical decisions based on the game, and which type of striker suits the game plan best.

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Lewis Goldsworthy’s maiden List A hundred brings light to dismal campaign

ECB Reporters Network23-Aug-2022

Lewis Goldsworthy struck a maiden List A century•Getty Images

Somerset 266 for 5 (Goldsworthy 111, Rew 96) beat Warwickshire 252 (Rhodes 92, Brookes 51) by 14 runsSomerset collected their first Royal London Cup win at the eighth and last attempt and dragged Warwickshire out of the competition in the process with a 14-run victory at Edgbaston.Lewis Goldsworthy’s maiden List A century (111, 116 balls) and Jack Brooks’ excellent bowling (four for 38) underpinned a win which brought some belated light to a leaden campaign.Somerset owed their total to a third-wicket stand of 198 in 35 overs between Goldsworthy and James Rew (96, 120). Olly Hannon-Dalby and Liam Norwell took two wickets apiece but George Garrett impressed most, conceding 37 from his ten overs.Warwickshire knew that reaching 267 would take them through to the knockout phase but their depleted batting order, without the injured Krunal Pandya and Michael Burgess, fell just short on 252 all out. Captain Will Rhodes (92, 103) and Ethan Brookes (51, 57) added 104 in 18 overs for the fifth wicket but there were no contributions of substance either side of their stand.After choosing to bat, Somerset soon lost former Warwickshire opener Andy Umeed, bowled by Norwell who also had Steven Davies superbly caught low at slip by Rob Yates. With three vital championship games to come in September, the Bears will be encouraged to see Norwell starting to regain full fitness and menace.Related

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Rew and Goldsworthy rebuilt, slowly at first, then more fluently, reaching their half-centuries from 77 and 71 balls respectively. The latter struck 12 fours in a polished innings before falling lbw to Yates.Eighteen-year-old Rew was a boundary short of his second List A ton when he sliced Hannon-Dalby to short third man. George Bartlett’s tidy unbeaten 29 (21 balls) lifted Somerset to a competitive score.Yates (four fours and a six in 25) gave Warwickshire’s reply a brisk start until he was brilliantly caught at extra cover by Bartlett off Kasey Aldridge. A string of batters then also picked out fielders. Bartlett pounced again at extra when Dom Sibley (23, 36 balls) lifted a drive at Brooks and Goldsworthy added wickets to his earlier runs as Hamza Shaikh swept to deep mid-wicket and Matt Lamb cut to point.That was 95 for four but as Rhodes and Brookes’ enterprising batting righted the ship and got the crowd involved. Brookes twice located the Hollies Stand on his way to a 53-ball half-century before edging Brooks to wicketkeeper Davies.Brooks’ then pinned Kai Smith lbw with a yorker to send Warwickshire into the last five overs needing another 42. Denied the required boundaries by disciplined, full-length bowling, they entered the final over requiring 21. That was well beyond the tail and they accompany their opponents out of the tournament.

حجز منتخب جنوب إفريقيا بطاقة العبور إلى نهائي بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 سنة، بعد فوزه الثمين على نظيره النيجيري بهدف دون رد.

جاء ذلك في اللقاء الذي جمعهما مساء اليوم على ملعب هيئة قناة السويس، ضمن منافسات الدور نصف النهائي من البطولة المقامة في مصر.

مدرب المغرب: سنواجه مصر بواقعية ونطمح للقب الإفريقي بعد ضمان المونديال

وجاء هدف المباراة الوحيد عن طريق اللاعب سميث في الدقيقة 66، بعد شوط أول انتهى بالتعادل السلبي بين الفريقين، قبل أن يتمكن المنتخب الجنوب إفريقي من فرض أفضليته في الشوط الثاني وترجمتها إلى هدف حسم به المواجهة لصالحه.

بهذا الانتصار، يتأهل منتخب جنوب إفريقيا إلى المباراة النهائية، حيث ينتظر الفائز من مواجهة مصر والمغرب التي تُقام الليلة في نصف النهائي الثاني، في حين يغادر المنتخب النيجيري المنافسة على اللقب، مكتفيًا بالتأهل إلى كأس العالم للشباب.

وكان منتخب جنوب إفريقيا قد بلغ المربع الذهبي بعد تغلبه على الكونغو الديمقراطية في الدور ربع النهائي بهدف نظيف، بينما صعدت نيجيريا عقب فوزها على السنغال بركلات الترجيح، ومن المقرر أن تُقام المباراة النهائية يوم 18 مايو الجاري.

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Nesta sexta-feira (20), o Palmeiras renovou os contratos dos laterais Gustavo Garcia e Vanderlan. Com o planejamento de dar sequência aos jovens promissores, as Crias da Academia agora possuem vínculo até dezembro de 2026, e não mais até 2024.

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Dos jogadores titulares na campanha do título inédito da Copinha, apenas Endrick ainda não teve o contrato renovado. Isso se dá por conta da idade do atleta, que completa 16 anos somente em junho.

Com 20 anos, Garcia fez sua estreia pela equipe principal do Verdão em março de 2021 e já disputou 13 jogos com os companheiros do profissional. Diante do RB Bragantino, na sexta rodada do Brasileirão, inclusive, o treinador Abel Ferreira promoveu sua entrada ao final do segundo tempo.

Já Vanderlan possui uma campanha parecida com a do companheiro no profissional da equipe alviverde. A estreia do lateral no principal do clube aconteceu em janeiro de 2021 e, até então, foram 12 partidas na categoria. Contra o Emelec, pela Libertadores, também saiu do banco na etapa final.

O Palmeiras optou por renovar os contratos dos jogadores em questão por serem as opções principais para as laterais do time de Abel Ferreira. Vale lembrar que o clube nem chegou a ir ao mercado para repor peças no setor, tendo em vista tamanha confiança nas Crias.

Além disso, não havia receio de perder a dupla, mas o Verdão enxergou a renovação como uma valorização dos atletas, que são vistos como ativos que ainda renderão muito ao clube.

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Ahead of this weekend’s crucial relegation six-pointer against Everton, Leicester City are now reportedly preparing the documents to sign an attacking addition who could yet arrive in time to face the Toffees.

Leicester transfer news

The Foxes currently sit one point above the dropzone after coming from behind to shock Tottenham Hotspur last time out and there’s no doubt that they’ll be desperate to make it two wins in two against Everton.

Three points would even take Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side within three points of the Toffees and could leave them as many as four points above the bottom three if Wolves fail to secure victory of their own against Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, as the action continues on the pitch, those at The King Power could be set for a busy few days away from the action and in the transfer market as the window approaches Monday’s deadline.

Having already signed defender Woyo Coulibaly this month, the Foxes have reportedly set their sights on signing a reinforcement at the opposite end of Van Nistelrooy’s squad who may even arrive in time to face Everton.

According to De Telegraph in the Netherlands, Leicester are now preparing the official documents to sign Chuba Akpom from Ajax before the deadline in a deal that could even see the forward arrive in time to secure registration and make his debut this weekend.

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In a swift move, the Premier League strugglers have gone from an interested party to Akpom’s likely destination. The forward now looks set to return to English football less than two years after swapping Middlesbrough for Ajax before enduring a mixed spell in the Netherlands.

Finally set to earn his Premier League chance nonetheless, Akpom could certainly play his part in dragging Leicester to survival this season.

"Terrific" Akpom will ease Vardy responsibility

It’s never a good sign when a side battling relegation are relying so heavily on a 38-year-old striker – no matter how impressive that striker still is despite his age. For Leicester, it was always going to be a problem if Jamie Vardy began to show his age and one that would have undoubtedly played a part in their potential relegation. Akpom’s arrival should instantly ease that fear, however.

The 29-year-old will ease the burden on Vardy and share the goalscoring responsibility if he completes a move before Monday’s deadline, especially if he manages to rediscover the record-breaking form he was in at Middlesbrough.

After Akpom became the first Boro striker in over 30 years to hit the 20-goal mark in 2023, manager Michael Carrick told reporters as relayed by ITV: “It’s a terrific achievement,” said Carrick of Akpom hitting and then moving beyond the 20-goal mark.

“It’s not easy to score that many goals. He’s scored all different type of goals for us since I’ve been here. I thought his performance was fantastic.

“He gets credit for his goals but his performance all round was terrific. And because we have threats in different areas, he ends up getting a bit more space. To score that many goals, hopefully he can carry on and set a new target for himself.”

The India A player credits time with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022 for his success in the four-dayer against New Zealand A

Daya Sagar05-Sep-2022

Tilak Varma: “My competition is not with others but myself that how much more can I improve my game and fitness”•Manoj Bookanakere/KSCA

Tilak Varma has played only five first-class games, and has just scored his first century in the format, against New Zealand A in Bengaluru. But, despite coming into the limelight at the 2022 IPL and having an impressive white-ball record overall, it’s Test cricket that he wants to play most of all.”My dream has always been to play in the whites for India,” Tilak said after scoring 121 for India A. “It’s my dream. To score a century for India A at the age of 19 in a country like India, which is full of talented players, is a matter of pride for me. I’m very happy with my performance and I want to do even better in the future.”Related

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In the drawn first four-dayer against New Zealand A, Tilak hit his runs off 183 balls from No. 6, with nine fours and six sixes, and stitched a partnership of 186 for the fifth wicket with Rajat Patidar (176) to help India take a lead of 171 before declaring on 571 for 6. Tilak credited his experience with Mumbai Indians at the IPL for boosting his self-confidence. Tilak and Jasprit Bumrah were the only players to feature in all 14 games for Mumbai, and Tilak was the team’s second-highest scorer with a tally of 397, while striking at 131 and averaging 36.09.It was a fair return for someone who has an average of 52.26 and strike rate of 96.43 in List A cricket and corresponding numbers of 32.41 and 136.97 in T20 cricket.”My IPL performance gave me a lot of self-confidence,” he said. “That has helped me perform well here too. The Mumbai [Indians] dressing room has such big names like Sachin [Tendulkar] sir and Rohit [Sharma] , and I was very nervous seeing them and even thought that I don’t deserve that place. But the team environment made me really comfortable. Rohit is the captain of India and such a senior player but he never made me feel like that while talking to him. He’s always ready to help on and off the field.””I make targets for every day and don’t think too far ahead”•BCCI

Tilak earned a lot of praise during and after the IPL from former players. While Tendulkar praised his class and temperament, Sunil Gavaskar and Rohit predicted that Tilak would play for India in the near future across formats.”Your self-confidence obviously gets a boost when people like Rohit, Gavaskar sir, Sachin sir praise you,” he said. “These are good signs for me, but one also has to see how to receive such praise.”Sometimes, young players come under pressure and some get overexcited too, but as a player you have to remain balanced. Such praise should also reflect in your performances.”There are two more four-day games against New Zealand A, and then there is the Indian domestic season, which is now returning to its full calendar after truncated versions in the last two years because of Covid-19.When asked about his targets for the new season, Tilak said, “I make targets for every day and don’t think too far ahead. I attempt to get better on a day-to-day basis. My competition is not with others but with myself – how much more can I improve my game and fitness. These are the things I focus on, and benefit from.”

كشفت رابطة البريميرليج، عن اللاعب الفائز بجائزة رجل مباراة مانشستر سيتي وبورنموث في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

والتقى الفريقان مساء الثلاثاء، حيث استقبل مانشستر سيتي خصمه بورنموث، على ملعب “الاتحاد”، في مباراة بالجولة السابعة والثلاثين للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.

ونجح مانشستر سيتي في تحقيق الفوز أمام بورنموث، وحسم المواجهة لصالحه بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وحصل النجم المصري عمر مرموش، لاعب مانشستر سيتي، على جائزة رجل المباراة أمام بورنموث، بعد أدائه المميز خلال المواجهة.

اقرأ أيضًا | تقييم عمر مرموش في مباراة مانشستر سيتي وبورنموث بـ الدوري الإنجليزي

وسجل مرموش هدفًا رائعًا لمانشستر سيتي خلال اللقاء، ليفتتح التسجيل لأصحاب الأرض في الدقيقة 14.

مرموش حصل على أعلى نسبة تصويت من الجماهير عبر الموقع الرسمي للبريميرليج (74.7%)، بفارق كبير جدًا عن منافسيه.

وأتى في المركز الثاني ميلوس كيركيز، لاعب بورنموث، وحصل على نسبة تصويت 8.7%.

وبفوزه في المباراة، أصبح رصيد مانشستر سيتي 68 نقطة في المركز الثالث بجدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

MatériaMais Notícias

O palmeirense já está cansado de saber que para ter “espírito de porco” precisa ter “cabeça fria e coração quente”. E isso o Palmeiras mostrou na vitória por 1 a 0 no clássico contra o Santos, na Vila Belmiro, no último domingo (29), pela oitava rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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É fato que o Verdão passou longe da sua melhor atuação. Foi um time pouco efetivo no primeiro tempo e raramente construtivo no segundo. Porém, mais que do que jogar um clássico, o Palestra soube ganhá-lo, e justamente com esta alma de palmeirense. A vitória contra o Peixe passou exatamente em saber jogar o clássico e trazer para si tudo o que o jogo oferecia.

Nos primeiros 45 minutos, o Verdão viu o Santos trazer o jogo para o seu campo. Com três volantes (Rodrigo Fernández, Zanocelo e Sandry), a equipe da Vila Belmiro abaixou as suas linhas de passes, deu a bola para o Alviverde, que pouco soube fazer com ela. Por sua vez, o Alvinegro praiano construiu as melhores oportunidades da etapa inicial com as suas constantes escapadas em velocidade pelos lados, principalmente o esquerdo.

Qualquer semelhança foi longe de mera coincidência. O Santos de Fabián Bustos adotou uma estratégia comumente usada pelo Palmeiras de Abel Ferreira, que contra o Peixe não esteve no banco de reservas por conta de uma suspensão, mas que construiu o trabalho visando o confronto deste fim de semana.

Do lado palmeirense, as melhores chances surgiram de erros individuais do adversário, em falhas nas saídas de bola.

Só que na etapa final, a postura do Verdão foi diferente. O Palestra se postou mais atrás, dando ao Santos a possibilidade de propor o jogo, mas com o intuito de ser mais agressivo verticalmente.

O Palmeiras demorou para chegar à meta adversária, é bem verdade, mas deixou de sofrer na parte defensiva, como foi no primeiro tempo. E quando chegou na frente, conseguiu o que queria e precisava, o gol. Que quase veio no pênalti perdido por Raphael Veiga, aos 27 minutos, mas saiu aos 34′ com Gustavo Gómez, de cabeça, após escanteio cobrado por Gustavo Scarpa.

O Verdão começou a ganhar o jogo quando o Peixe passou a se perder. Ver um pênalti assinalado após consulta do VAR, mesmo com ele tendo sido perdido, começou a desequilibrar o emocional santista, que se mostrava no primeiro tempo mais pilhado na partida do que o Palmeiras e que também teve um gol bem anulado após consulta arbitragem de vídeo na etapa inicial.

O que era uma virtude para o Santos, que parecia competir mais em um clássico do porte contra os palmeirenses, acabou sendo o ‘calcanhar de Aquiles’ da equipe alvinegra. Quando a vontade se transformou em pilha, que o Peixe caiu, o Verdão pintou e bordou.

No final, a entrega palmeirense existiu, mas com um espírito de porco que precisou mais de cabeça fria e deixou quente o coração do alviverde inteiro.

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Ten Test players handed full deals for 2022-23 season, as ECB looks to protect pace stocks

Andrew Miller11-Oct-2022

Liam Livingstone made a 42-ball century in 2021, the fastest in England’s T20I history•Getty Images

Liam Livingstone’s status as a cornerstone of England’s new-look white-ball team has been recognised with the award of his first England central contract, after the ECB announced a list of 30 names for the 2022-23 season, covering all three formats of the game and including 18 lucrative full annual deals.Livingstone, 29, is currently recovering from an ankle injury, and endured a relatively lean season in 2022, with a solitary half-century against Netherlands in 16 innings across white-ball formats. However, his explosive batting power – epitomised by his 42-ball century against Pakistan in 2021 – allied to an ability to spin the ball both ways, makes him an invaluable asset to a team that is still rebuilding following the retirement of Eoin Morgan in June, particularly in the lead-in to the defence of their 50-over World Cup title in India in 12 months’ time.In a further sign of the team’s evolution, Jason Roy – one of the linchpins of the 2019 victory – has had his own status downgraded to an incremental deal after a season-long struggle for form, while Dawid Malan, who is currently in Australia preparing for the T20 World Cup, has also lost his full contract following his omission from England’s Test plans since last winter’s Ashes defeat.Related

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Chris Jordan, another of England’s T20 veterans, has missed out on a deal for 2022-23, but Harry Brook and Reece Topley – two of the star performers in England’s white-ball ranks in recent months – have both been handed their first incremental contracts.On the red-ball front, Ben Foakes, the Test wicketkeeper, has been handed his first full contract after a breakthrough season in which he made his second Test century and played a key role in England’s tally of six wins out of seven. Matthew Potts, who debuted against New Zealand at Lord’s and claimed 20 wickets in five appearances, has been rewarded with his first incremental deal.In a sign of England’s faith in the men who starred in Ben Stokes’ Test team, ten of the players who featured in the bulk of the seven matches have all been awarded full contracts, including Zak Crawley, whose form was under constant scrutiny in the summer, but who repaid some of the management’s faith with a fluent half-century to seal England’s series win against South Africa at The Oval.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The one exception, however, is Crawley’s opening partner, Alex Lees, who made two half-centuries with a best of 67 against New Zealand, and played a key role in the run-chase against India at Edgbaston. However, he has averaged just 23.84 in ten Tests since debuting in the Caribbean in March, and now seems less secure of his place when England name their Test squad for the tour of Pakistan in the coming weeks. Rory Burns, who guided Surrey to success in the County Championship last month but has not been considered by England since the Ashes, has also been cut from the contracts list.Jofra Archer, who has not played since the T20I tour of India in March 2021 but made a tentative return to the nets last week during his lengthy recuperation from elbow surgery, has retained his full contract, as has his fellow 90mph fast bowler, Mark Wood, who has made an impressive return to action after also undergoing two elbow operations this year.In a bid to protect England’s pace-bowling stocks, six further fast bowlers have been handed development contracts. Brydon Carse, Matthew Fisher and Jamie Overton – whose debut against New Zealand at Headingley is best remembered for his match-turning innings of 97 – join Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton and Olly Stone who were awarded such a deal last year as well. Mahmood and Stone are both on the comeback trail after stress fractures of the back.England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, said: “I feel we have rewarded those players who have made a significant impact over the previous 12 months and those we expect to be part of England’s plans over the next period.”The international game continues to evolve, and we must be mindful that we have to lead the way in player performance across the sport. The aim is to develop world-class players in all three formats as we strive to become the best team in the world.”I would like to congratulate all the players offered agreements for the coming year. They will all play a pivotal role in England’s efforts over the next 12 months.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is now facing the real possibility of being without a “fantastic” member of his squad for “months”, with the development described as a “major blow” as the west Londoners prepare for their FA Cup fourth round tie away to Brighton.

Chelsea look to spark FA Cup run with potential Brighton win

Maresca’s side are one of the favourites to win this year’s Europa Conference League, but were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle, meaning the FA Cup represents their best chance of clinching domestic silverware for the first time since 2018.

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The west Londoners hold a serious belief behind-the-scenes.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Feb 7, 2025

The Blues travel to Brighton this evening with the aim of beating Fabian Hurzeler’s side and sparking an FA Cup run, but they could have to do it without a few first-team players.

Roméo Lavia is set to miss their clash at the Amex, potentially lining up a debut for January signing Mathis Amougou, while Wesley Fofana remains out alongside fellow defender Benoit Badiashile.

Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures

Date

Brighton (away)

February 14th

Aston Villa (away)

February 22nd

Southampton (home)

February 25th

Leicester City (home)

March 9th

Arsenal (away)

March 16th

Nicolas Jackson is also an injury doubt to face Brighton, so it is likely that Christopher Nkunku, who wanted to leave Chelsea in the January window, could start in the Senegal international’s stead.

“Yes, for sure, for sure,” said Maresca on Nkunku playing a bigger Chelsea role moving forward. “I spoke already last week about Christo. Against West Ham, he played already more or less half an hour. From now on, he can hopefully get some more minutes and help us.

“I was with the club, and we were sure before the transfer window that Christo was one of the players that our intention was to keep him.”

The Frenchman looks set to be even more crucial with news now emerging that striker Marc Guiu could be facing a lengthy spell on the treatment table.

Chelsea striker Marc Guiu facing "months" out injured

The Spaniard, signed from Barcelona last summer, went down injured against West Ham earlier this week, but Maresca didn’t think it serious at the time. However, in another update, Maresca now says that Guiu could be out for “months” at Chelsea – leaving them potentially short for Brighton tonight and far beyond.

“Marc Guiu, unfortunately, it’s a bad injury,” said Maresca in his pre-Brighton press conference.

“Could be [long-term], yeah. We are still waiting, but it doesn’t look like a short injury. It’s a long injury. Probably weeks or months.”

Journalist Malik Ouzia describes this news as a “major blow”, especially considering the 19-year-old’s “fantastic” development lately.

“Marc is improving a lot, to be honest,” said Maresca on Guiu’s performances this season. “He is doing fantastic. Day after day, he is more ready for that kind of game. Sometimes the decision I take is because I see something. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not. But Marc, day after day, is more ready.”

The teenage striker bagged six goals in six Conference League outings, proving very effective in their chase for a European trophy, so his absence will be noted despite not being a mainstay in Maresca’s starting eleven.