Maresca already hinted at altering his techniques for the sport at Brighton due to Nkunku’s struggles taking part in up entrance.
The France worldwide has been in poor kind and has scored only one purpose in 11 league matches in all competitions.
He opted to maneuver Nkunku away from the quantity 9 place, the place he struggled within the FA Cup tie with Brighton six days in the past, successfully swapping positions with Palmer.
However the brand new gameplan was disrupted by the damage to Madueke, which left Chelsea with only one participant in Neto who may run in behind.
In consequence, the guests had been left with a number of the ball – however with no actual purpose risk.
They accomplished 648 passes and had 69.4% possession at Amex Stadium however had been unable to drive Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen right into a save.
Talking after the match, Maresca instructed BBC Sport: “It’s troublesome when you do not have a correct quantity 9. Within the final third we struggled doing issues that till per week or two in the past we had been doing effectively.
“That is the worst second since I arrived however we’re nonetheless there and we have to end in the easiest way.”
It was an analogous story in that FA Cup sport, with the Blues once more dominating possession and finishing extra passes than their opponents however on that event having only one shot on course.
Chelsea’s greatest hope is discovering a manner to enhance Nkunku’s degree – however with out hurting Palmer, who can be beginning to decline after disrupting his wonderful partnership with Jackson.
Both manner, in actuality, for all the cash spent Maresca is solely in need of choices.
