In a disheartening FA Cup exit against Brighton, Chelsea’s attacking frailties were laid bare as the departure of João Félix left the team without the cutting edge needed to break down defences.
Chelsea’s performance against Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round highlighted a major issue in their attack. With the team already depleted by injuries—Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson were unavailable due to muscle problems—manager Enzo Maresca was forced to rely on alternative options. A pivotal moment came in the 81st minute when Christopher Nkunku, operating as a makeshift striker, hesitated after receiving the ball from Tyrique George and Enzo Fernandez, leaving fans in near fury as the counterattack fizzled out. This moment encapsulated the season’s recurring problem: the absence of a natural goal-scoring forward, which had been exacerbated by the recent departure of João Félix on loan to AC Milan.
Félix, signed for a reported £45million, had shown his quality by scoring early on his Milan debut, underlining the loss Chelsea now feel. Meanwhile, substitute options like Cole Palmer and Nkunku were unable to fill the void, with Palmer’s production notably lacking in direct goal contributions despite his previous form. The result is a stark reminder of the club’s ongoing struggle to maintain an effective attacking presence—a problem that, if not addressed, will only worsen as injuries continue to pile up.
