Enzo Maresca reveals why Chelsea co-owner entered dressing room after Brighton defeat

Maresca’s side suffered a second consecutive defeat in the league (Picture: Getty)

Enzo Maresca has insisted there was ‘nothing different’ in Chelsea co-owner Behdad Egbhali and other senior figures entering the players’ dressing room immediately after defeat to Brighton.

Chelsea were in control of Saturday afternoon’s Premier League clash thanks to Enzo Fernandez’z first-half header.

But the Blues fell apart after a second-half red card shown to Trevoh Calobah with Danny Welbeck equalising after 77 minutes.

Brighton scored twice in added time to seal a huge victory with Chelsea suffering a second consecutive defeat in the league.

The west Londoners have now won just two of their six Premier League games to date – with one of those victories coming in rather fortuitous circumstances against Fulham.

Boos were heard around Stamford Bridge at full-time with controlling owner Egbhali spotted heading straight to the dressing room along with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and fellow senior recruitment figures Joe Shields and Sam Jewell.

Eghbali and other senior staff headed straight for the dressing room (Picture: Getty)

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Maresca explained there was nothing unusual about their presence, insisting nothing was said to the Chelsea players.

‘They have been inside the changing-room, like always,’ said Maresca.

‘We have an office inside the changing-room, where after every game, we sit and we talk about the game. But they did not say anything to the players.

‘It was nothing completely different compared to the rest of the games.’

Chelsea were beaten 3-1 by Brighton (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have slipped to eighth in the table with pressure on to improve results ahead of the Champions League clash with Benfica before the visit of Liverpool next weekend.

The Blues are already without Cole Plamer until after the October international break with his side opting to pull him out of the team to recover from a groin injury.

Maresca has a major crisis on his hands in defence too. Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo both missed the Brighton game and will miss the next three games, joining long-term absentee Levi Colwill on the sidelines.

Chalobah will also be unavailable for the Liverpool game after his red card against Brighton – Chelsea’s second in as many games after Robert Sanchez was given his marching orders at Old Trafford.

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