Enzo Maresca: 'Chelsea is hitting rock bottom in the Premier League'

Chelsea continued their worrying downturn by losing 1-3 at home to Brighton, while head coach Enzo Maresca openly expressed his anger over the serious errors that led the team to sabotage themselves.

The Blues started well, dominating the first half with 70% possession, launching numerous shots, and taking an early lead. Despite a depleted squad, Maresca maintained control of the game even using left-back Jarrel Hato as a center-back.

However, everything fell apart just minutes after the break. Trevoh Chalobah was sent off in the 53rd minute, reducing Chelsea to ten men and marking their second red card in a week, following goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s dismissal against Manchester United. From that moment, the whole team lost composure, repeatedly committing fouls, arguing, and reacting uncontrollably.

Maresca angrily admitted: “The message I gave in the dressing room was very clear: in the Premier League, you cannot keep handing points to your opponents. What we are doing right now is giving away points through red cards, and that is a huge mistake because it completely changes the course of the match.”

“We controlled the game, were ahead, and didn’t let them create chances. They told me in the first half we had many shots, 70% possession, everything was fine. But because of our mistakes and then the red card, all plans collapsed."

Chaos peaked late in the match when Malo Gusto’s high foot struck Yankuba Minteh’s face, sparking a brawl inside the penalty area. Defender Benoit Badiashile nearly received a red card after clashing with Brighton captain Lewis Dunk. Luckily for Chelsea, the referee only issued a warning, but the team lost focus and conceded goals soon after.

Danny Welbeck scored twice as Brighton dominated, completing a comeback at the “holy ground” of Stamford Bridge. Maresca could not hide his disappointment: “You cannot keep making mistakes, especially major ones that affect the outcome like the red cards against Man United and today.”

The defeat to Brighton also troubled Maresca due to the weakened squad. The Italian coach had to move young left-back Jarrel Hato to center-back. Chalobah will be suspended for the upcoming match against Liverpool next weekend. Pressure mounts as they prepare to face Jose Mourinho in the Champions League next week. The “Special One” will surely seize the chance to further challenge his struggling former club.

Maresca acknowledged the team must learn quickly: “It might be due to lack of experience or individual errors, but if you only look at today’s first half, you wouldn’t think we were short-handed or missing anyone. We had full control. The reality is that two consecutive red cards changed everything.”