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Enzo Maresca aims savage dig at Joao Felix after AC Milan transfer as Chelsea boss laments Nicolas Jackson's absence in FA Cup defeat to Brighton

<p>Even though Chelsea exited the FA Cup at the hands of Brighton on Sunday, only able to score once - via an own goal, at that - against a side that shipped seven against Nottingham Forest only a week earlier, Maresca wasn't sorry about not having Felix anymore.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Felix made the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-what-chelsea-thinking-joao-felix-scores-debut-goal-ac-milan-replacing-christian-pulisic-dink-roma-goalkeeper/blteda75d95ceab7645" target="_blank">deadline day switch to AC Milan</a> for the remainder of the season, ending a sorry few months in which he was unable to command a regular Chelsea place following a permanent big money summer return. Maresca's comments came in the wake of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/chelsea-player-ratings-vs-brighton-christopher-nkunku-french-forward-cole-palmer/blt00cfe073d54a1bfd#csaf051e0312f795c7" target="_blank">Chelsea's attacking players being rated poorly against Brighton</a>. Nicolas Jackson, who came in for praise due to his absence showing his importance, and Marc Guiu are currently sidelined with injuries, only underlining Maresca's apparent dislike of Felix as a player for his system.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Maresca said after the 2-1 defeat that saw Chelsea exit the FA Cup at the fourth round stage: "I don't think we miss Joao. Joao is happy [at AC Milan] and we are happy Joao is happy there. We had two striker injuries on deadline day, it is something difficult to think. Nico [Jackson] can be back very soon.&nbsp;Sometimes I think you need to play some games without players to realise how important they are. Off the ball, [Jackson’s] pressing is always very good and, on the ball, he is a threat always."</p>

WHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID

<p>Jackson's return is hugely important to Chelsea. The Senegal international was described last week as not having a "long" injury, with Maresca raising the possibility that he could have been back for Brighton. That was considered too much of a risk in the end, but at least suggests he is close to a return. What his absence does do, with the lack of cover options in the squad, is highlight how much Chelsea need to recruit another striker in the summer.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR?

Enzo Maresca aims savage dig at Joao Felix after AC Milan transfer as Chelsea boss laments Nicolas Jackson's absence in FA Cup defeat to Brighton | Goal.com

Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea do not &apos;miss&apos; Joao Felix following the forward&apos;s loan move to AC Milan, despite attacking injuries since his departure.