Former Brighton defender Gary Chivers believes Chelsea are showing fine form before facing the Seagulls on Saturday.
Chivers played over 200 games for Albion and made over 100 appearances for Chelsea. Ahead of this weekend’s game he has been speaking to the Albion Unlimited podcast about Maresca’s team and said: “He’s changed the style of play – and now they’re playing ever so well.
“The game against West Ham the other day – what a result, the way they played was unbelievable. He gets the full-backs tucking into the midfield, so when in position it’s really hard to get the ball off them.
“He’s settled in now, they know what he wants and they’re showing it when they play, because they’re playing awfully well at the moment – it’s a tough game for Brighton to go there and get a result.”
It will be a re-union for a number of former Brighton players, including Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, and Chivers praised the 22-year-old with how he’s started the season.
He added: “Caicedo has been out of this world – his actual play has been unbelievable.
“He got a bit of stick, and rightly so because he was playing in a team that lacked a bit of confidence when he joined. Against West Ham he was awesome.”
Another Chelsea player who has started the season in good form and scored two goals against West Ham recently is Nicolas Jackson.
“When he first came to the club, he got a little bit of stick – rightly so again.” Chivers said.
“The way he’s playing at the moment, he’s confident, he took his goals really well and he looks the real deal at the moment – he’s progressing brilliantly.
“Maresca likes him to come out wide and then he’s going in the middle. He’s playing all over the shop.”
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
