Chelsea crashed out of the FA Cup on Saturday against Brighton after losing 2-1 at the Amex Stadium. For the second time in three years, Chelsea have failed to advance past the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Although Brighton won controversially, Chelsea performed nowhere near their best against the Seagulls. This match reflected Chelsea’s recent struggles, especially in domestic away games. The concerning decline in form since December is the main reason why Blues fans should brace up for another disappointing end to the season—again.
Since December 22, Chelsea have won only three of their last ten matches, losing four and drawing three. This slump has dropped them from title contenders to a side uncertain of a top-four finish.
Beyond the results, Enzo Maresca‘s team has visibly declined in every aspect of play. Defensively, they have become more vulnerable, while the midfield looks stretched, with Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández struggling in Roméo Lavia’s absence. Meanwhile, goals have dried up for Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer.
Chelsea’s fixture schedule also suggests fans may have to accept another disappointing league campaign.
The Blues face Brighton on Friday before taking on fellow top-four hopefuls Aston Villa. With Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Brentford still to come—along with other tricky matchups—securing a top-four finish looks increasingly difficult.
Chelsea have faced criticism for stockpiling too many players over the past year, but injuries and poor transfer strategy have now left them looking short in almost every department.
The club’s goal remains securing UEFA Champions League qualification and winning the Conference League. However, with fierce competition from Manchester City, Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Aston Villa, Chelsea do not appear in optimal shape to finish the season strongly.
