Joao Felix: Enzo Maresca defends loan exit as tired Chelsea eliminated from FA Cup | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has insisted Chelsea do not miss Joao Felix following the Blues' surprise elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.

Chelsea, who were without the injured duo of Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, looked tired and tame in attack as they gave up an early 1-0 lead to fall 2-1 to Brighton on Saturday, with Noni Madueke and young Tyrique George the only attacking substitutes brought off the bench.

The defeat came on the same night as Felix made his first start for Milan, having scored on his debut off the bench in midweek.

Asked whether Felix's loan could ultimately prove to be a mistake, Maresca insisted Chelsea are still happy with the decision to temporarily part ways with the Portugal international.

"I don't think we miss Joao," Maresca told the media. "Joao is happy there and we are happy Joao is happy there.

"The only thing I can say is no-one would predict on deadline day we had two strikers injured. This is something that is difficult to think. It unfortunately happened but we have Nico to be back very soon."

Jackson is out injured / Harry Murphy - Danehouse/GettyImages

Maresca also admitted Saturday's defeat should highlight the importance of Jackson to the fans who have questioned his involvement in the side this season.

"Yeah, sometimes I think you need to play games without players to realise how important they are. We said many times about Nico: he is important on and off the ball. Off the ball, his intensity is very good and on the ball, he is always a threat.

"Sometimes I think you need to play some games without players to realise how important they are," Maresca said. "Off the ball, his pressing is always very good and on the ball he is a threat always.

"We had a few chances to draw and we missed. Now, if there is something good after a defeat is now we can be focused on the Premier League and Conference [League]."