Chelsea star banned for Brighton clash as Premier League rule enforced

Chelsea star Facundo Buonanotte will not be named in Enzo Maresca's squad this weekend despite impressing in Tuesday's Carabao Cup victory over Lincoln. The Blues are set to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Before that, the Carabao Cup was Enzo Maresca's focuswith Tyrique George and Buonanotte sealing a comeback victory after Rob Street's first-half strike put the League One side in front.

George levelled matters shortly after the interval with a stunning strike from distance before Brighton loanee Buonanotte netted moments later to seal the fightback.

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Reflecting on his display against Lincoln, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca commented: "Yeah, Buonanotte was very good. I think first-half, we all struggled a little bit, second-half I think we were much, much better."

However, despite Buonanotte's eye-catching showing, he will be unavailable for the Blues this weekend.

This is due to Chelsea facing his parent club Brighton, with Premier League loan regulations barring players from featuring against their contracted side.

FA regulations state a player "cannot play in a competition match against their parent club" in the FA Cup, whilst the Premier League handbook confirms that "during the period of the temporary transfer... a player shall not play against the transfer or club."

Intriguingly, the League Cup lacks such restrictions, meaning Buonanotte would only face his parent club should Chelsea and Brighton meet later in the tournament.

The Seagulls progressed to the fourth round following their dismissal of League One outfit Barnsley on Tuesday night. The absence of Buonanotte is set to give Maresca a selection headache, especially with Cole Palmer currently battling fitness issues.

This could potentially pave the way for Buonanotte's international teammate Alejandro Garnacho to make his first Premier League start of the season.

Regardless, Maresca will be demanding an improved performance from his team after expressing his frustration at Chelsea's first-half display against Lincoln.

When asked about his level of anger, the Italian responded: "Absolutely, absolutely [laughs]. No, because we prepared the game thinking exactly in the way it was the first-half, and sometimes it's not about desire, it's about winning [the] second ball, but it's also about experience.

"Jamie Gittens never played against League One [teams], these kind of games. Jorrel never played this kind of game.

"This kind of game, you have to play in a different way, you have to play in a different way. It's more about desire, and we struggled in the first half."

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