boss might be ruing his lack of faith in Joao Felix with the forward impressing again for AC Milan. The Blues have lost a number of their attacking options to injuries, while dismal dips in form.

Maresca's side have suffered successive defeats at Brighton, losing 2-1 in the FA Cup before being comprehensively beaten 3-0 in the on Friday. Noni Madueke became the latest star to be ruled out through injury.

While Chelsea were licking their wounds after third reverse in four games, Felix was shining on loan at AC Milan. The Portugal international, who the Blues spent £45million to sign only last summer, has settled in seamlessly at his new club.

Felix scored on his debut in a 3-1 win over Roma, becoming an instant hit in Milan. He started again in a narrow 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona which boosted his side's European pursuit.

The 25-year-old began as a No. 10 before drifting wide in the second half. A key creator for his new club, Felix managed six shot-creating actions, according to data website FBref. He completed 82 per cent of his passes, and had two successful take-ons.

Felix grabbed a goal and an assist in only 363 Premier League minutes this season - the equivalent of only four full games. In his 584 minutes - six-and-a-half full matches - in the Conference League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup, Felix scored six goals and provided an assist.

Serious questions must be raised about whether Felix deserved more game time during the first half of Chelsea's Premier League campaign.

Maresca did not seem to think the former Atletico Madrid and Benfica star would have made a difference after Chelsea were dumped out of the FA Cup by Brighton.

"I don't think we miss Joao. He's happy there (Milan) and we're happy that he's happy," Maresca said after the 2-1 defeat. "Two injuries on the last day of the transfer window. It's a tough one. Nico [Jackson] could be back soon."

But with Palmer struggling with the burden of expectation, Jackson out for several weeks, and no other Chelsea player stepping up, Maresca might have been wrong about Felix. To see him shine in Serie A should leave the Chelsea boss regretting the decision to let the loanee leave.