Enzo Maresca left Paul Merson ‘flabbergasted’ after decision on Chelsea’s ‘quickest player’ last weekend

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Chelsea were beaten at Manchester United last weekend, with boss Enzo Maresca coming in for some criticism.

Chelsea return to Premier League action against Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend, and they are looking to get back on track.

The Blues were beaten 2-1 by Manchester United on Saturday evening, with Robert Sanchez’s early red card setting the tone for a disappointing display.

Maresca came in for criticism for his substitutions, though, with the Chelsea boss making three changes inside the first 25 minutes.

• READ MORE: The Chelsea games Cole Palmer will miss after Enzo Maresca’s fitness update

Paul Merson baffled by Enzo Maresca’s decision on Chelsea’s Pedro Neto

Sanchez’s red card meant goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen came on for Estevao, while Tosin Adarabioyo surprisingly replaced Pedro Neto.

Maresca completely changed shape and then had to withdraw Cole Palmer due to injury, leaving Chelsea with little attacking threat.

Pundit Paul Merson has now pinpointed Neto’s withdrawal as the most baffling moment from Maresca’s first-half decision-making.

Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson suggested that Neto should be the last player withdrawn, because he is the quickest player at Chelsea’s disposal.

Merson believes Neto could have occupied two United defenders on his own and really opened up the game for Chelsea.

Instead, Maresca brought him off early on and left Merson ‘flabbergasted’ and ‘shocked’ in the process.

“I was flabbergasted by what Enzo Maresca did after Robert Sanchez got sent off against Manchester United. The first thing he has to do is bring on a goalkeeper, and I get it,” said Merson.

“But Pedro Neto should be the last player coming off after that! He’s the quickest player on the pitch, so you put him up top and let him occupy the two defenders. If you can do that, it is 9 v 9 on the rest of the pitch! This is one of the best managers in the country, and he’s making decisions like this, I was shocked,” he added.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
4	BournemouthBournemouth	5	3	1	1	6	5	1	10
5	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	5	2	3	0	6	2	4	9
6	ChelseaChelsea	5	2	2	1	10	5	5	8
7	SunderlandSunderland	5	2	2	1	6	4	2	8
8	FulhamFulham	5	2	2	1	6	5	1	8

Chelsea need home win over Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend

Chelsea have only lost once in the Premier League this season, which came in that trip to United last weekend.

Losing when seeing your goalkeeper sent off inside the first 10 minutes is no great shame, but Chelsea need to kick on.

Chelsea were flat against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season before picking up wins over West Ham United and Fulham.

Chelsea then conceded in the dying seconds against Brentford, squandering two points against their London rivals.

Brighton are a tricky opponent, and Chelsea must reaffirm their top-four push by getting right back on track against the Seagulls – and Neto should play a key role in any potential Blues win.