Since his arrival at Chelsea last summer, several Blues players have improved under Enzo Maresca.
It is something that the Chelsea manager has even talked about as he named-checked the likes of Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella.
When Maresca spoke about Chelsea’s improvement as a team earlier this month, he said: “Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Noni Madueke, so many of these players are getting better and better.”
With all of that being said, not everyone has managed to go up a gear under the Italian. In fact, some have even gone backwards.
Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana and Mathis Amougou pose after Real Betis Balompie v Chelsea FC - UEFA Conference League Final 2025
Photo by Aitor Alcalde – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Chelsea have chance to sell Malo Gusto to Bayern Munich
Malo Gusto is undoubtedly one individual who has regressed following Maresca‘s appointment as Chelsea boss, and the defender could now be on his way to Bayern Munich.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Bayern have enquired about signing Gusto, and it looks like they have a good chance of landing the 22-year-old.
A report from German outlet Bild claims that the Bundesliga champions are very much interested in Gusto and that Chelsea could be willing to sell him for €50m (£42.7m).
Twelve months ago, getting rid of Gusto would have been unthinkable, especially with all of Reece James’ injury problems.
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The Frenchman was terrific under Maresca’s predecessor Mauricio Pochettino, finishing the 2023/24 campaign with nine assists in all competitions — an excellent return for a full-back. He got nowhere close to that last term.
Malo Gusto’s Chelsea stats Appearances Assists
2024/25 43 2
2023/24 37 9
You do not have to be an assist machine to be a good full-back, though. The biggest problem is Gusto simply cannot do what Maresca is asking of him.
Enzo Maresca looks on during Chelsea FC v Los Angeles Football Club: Group D - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images
Malo Gusto not a good fit for Enzo Maresca
While James has had little trouble inverting into midfield from the right-back position, Gusto has found it extremely tough.
He is still young and can learn, but as of now, the France international cannot operate as an inverted full-back. That was clear as day in the Conference League final, where Gusto had to be taken off at half-time after a difficult 45 minutes.
The former Lyon man is out of form, being shoehorned into a position he cannot play and blocking Josh Acheampong’s pathway. If Bayern do make an offer for him, Chelsea should accept it.