“The only thing I can say” – Maresca makes surprise claim about departed player following Brighton loss | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca claimed Joao Felix isn’t missed following Chelsea’s exit to Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday evening.

The Blues slumped to a 2-1 defeat on the south coast and exited the FA Cup meaning their only hope of silverware is now the Conference League.

Maresca’s men started well and took an early lead after Bart Verbruggen pushed Cole Palmer’s effort into the back of the net, before Georginio Rutter equalised and Karou Mitoma scored the winner in the second half.

Maresca makes Felix claim following cup exit

The Italian made five changes to the team with Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku coming into the attack, with Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu both missing through injury.

Nkunku really struggled and had just one touch in the Brighton box, but a lack of alternatives from the bench was once again a problem for Maresca.

Felix, who could have been an option was let go on deadline day as he was allowed to join AC Milan, and questions were asked to Maresca about the Portuguese after the game.

Maresca insisted Chelsea don’t miss Felix after the Brighton game. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Instead of blaming Chelsea’s issues on a lack of options, Maresca instead put the misfortune down to bad luck.

“I don’t think we miss Joao,” he told his post match press conference.

“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.”

Felix only started three league games, but letting him go is looking like a mistake based on the fact no replacement was signed.

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The 25-year-old scored seven goals in all competitions in the first half of the season, and netted on his AC Milan debut against Roma.

Not signing a replacement for Felix could come back to haunt Chelsea, and could be a decision which costs the Blues Champions League football.