Coach Enzo Maresca said the 0-3 loss to Brighton was Chelsea's "worst performance" under him. This was also the second defeat in just 7 days and forced The Blues to re-evaluate the top 4 race.
Chelsea have not had a shot on target in a Premier League match for the first time since September 2021. Kaoru Mitoma's opening goal and Yankuba Minteh's double helped Brighton beat Chelsea for the second time in just a few days.
Injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu have left Maresca without a striker, but their problems are not limited to the attack. The "Seagulls" crushed Chelsea to narrow the gap with their opponents to 6 points.
"Tonight was my worst performance since I arrived, but we are still in the race to finish in the top four. I always feel pressured. Not just now," said the Italian.
Chelsea will lose their top 4 spot if Man City, Bournemouth or Newcastle win as the race for a place in the Champions League next season becomes hotter.
If The Blues fail to achieve this goal, this will be the third consecutive season they will not be able to participate in the European top flight. Remember, Chelsea's new owners have invested more than £1 billion in transfers.
"If they don't make it to the Champions League, it will be a disaster. What I learned from this match was not only how badly they played but also the disappointment from Palmer. He will not wait for the idea that in a few years, we will enter the Champions League" - former centre-back Jamie Carragher commented.
Palmer, 22, still has a contract with Chelsea until 2033, but Carragher said the England international may not be so patient.
"The idea is that this project will take 2 or 3 years, the problem is that the best players will not wait until then. Palmer is one of the best players in the Premier League. You may start to feel the disappointment gradually increase. He is good enough to compete for the biggest trophies in the Premier League and Champions League.
He scored in the EURO final! That is something Chelsea need to keep in mind. The idea that it could take 5 or 10 years - it's unreasonable. Nottingham Forest are third and Chelsea have spent more than £1 billion," Carragher added.
Chelsea have started their first season under Maresca in good form. However, their performance has declined in the past 2 months when they have only won 2 out of their last 9 matches in the Premier League.
The Blues have also been knocked out of both domestic cups, but are still in the UEFA Conference League round of 16.
