EPL: Brighton face massive blow ahead Chelsea game, to miss over 10 players

Chelsea new as this weekend's Premier League opponents tackle a winter injury crisis ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge

Ansu Fati

Brighton will be without over 10 players against Chelsea following Ansu Fati's injury

Brighton & Hove Albion will visit Chelsea on Sunday in the Premier League in the midst of an injury crisis following confirmation of two long-term absences.

The Seagulls, for the first time in their history, are juggling Premier League football with European action following their impressive 2022/23 season. Roberto De Zerbi's men finished sixth in the league, nine points off the Champions League, to secure a spot in the Europa League.

This season, Brighton are enjoying another impressive campaign with them currently sitting eighth with six wins from 13 games. They have also given a good account of themselves in Europe, beating Ajax home and away to give them a good chance at progressing to the knockout stages.

However, as many clubs quickly learn when attempting to compete on all fronts, injuries have begun to mount up at the Amex Community Stadium. Before Saturday's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, Brighton were already without Kaoru Mitoma - who started for the Seagulls tonight - Adam Webster, James Milner, Pervis Estupinan, Solly March, Danny Welbeck and Julio Enciso.

Now, Ansu Fati and ex-Chelsea wing-back Tariq Lamptey will face a period on the sidelines after sustaining injuries at Forest. Lamptey has struggled with multiple muscular injuries in recent seasons while Fati's parent club Barcelona fear he could be out for two and a half months.

"Ansu [Fati] and [Tariq] Lamptey are both injured," De Zerbi confirmed on Wednesday ahead of tonight's clash with AEK Athens. "We have lost them for a long time I think. But the focus is on the players who can play tomorrow. We will have to compete."

Fati and Lamptey's injuries mean Brighton could be without 11 players for their trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. As well as their injury problems, Lewis Dunk and Mahmoud Dahoud are both suspended after being sent off against Forest and Sheffield United respectively.