Chelsea are looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Champions League with a victory over Ajax but are having to do it without Malo Gusto.
In their last Champions League outing, Enzo Maresca‘s men managed to beat Jose Mourinho’s Benfica side 1-0.
Gusto started that night, but the right-back was left out of Chelsea‘s squad for Wednesday’s game against Ajax.
However, it does not look like Gusto will be unavailable for too long, meaning that he could be back for next Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie versus Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Malo Gusto applauds the Chelsea fans after their defeat against Manchester United in the Premier League.
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Malo Gusto ruled out through illness
Chelsea have had a lot of injuries in defence this season, but Gusto has not picked up one, thankfully for Maresca.
According to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella, the 22-year-old was unavailable for selection because of illness.
While Gusto is simply ill, Benoit Badiashile is one of those defenders who has sustained an injury, which is expected to keep him out for a while.
In his absence, Jorrel Hato starting at centre-back was a suggestion made by some Chelsea supporters.
However, the Dutchman has been deployed at left-back in the Blues’ game against his former side Ajax.
Malo Gusto during Chelsea vs Benfica
Photo by Steve Bardens – AMA/Getty Images
Leon Osman slammed Malo Gusto before Ajax game
Last time out, Gusto was sent off after picking up two yellow cards. It was Chelsea’s fifth dismissal of the season, including Maresca’s at the end of the Blues’ victory over Liverpool.
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman was very critical of Gusto following the tackle that got him ejected from the match, saying: “In hindsight it is the stupidest tackle in the world to make.”
Chelsea started their fixture against Ajax just fine without Gusto, which would not have surprised their opponents’ manager too much.
Heading into Wednesday night’s game, John Heitinga discussed Chelsea’s strengths, stating that the Blues are a team with “power” and “strength”.
Their next match sees them host Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in a Premier League affair. Gusto will not be available, with the France international suspended after his red card at the City Ground.