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Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
Credit: Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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Photo by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
Chelsea convinced they have a 20-year-old youngster who is perfect for Xabi Alonso
Chelsea convinced they have a 20-year-old youngster who is perfect for Xabi Alonso
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
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Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
Gusto started five of Chelsea’s first six games in all competitions. But he was unused at Brentford and was an 88th-minute substitute during the win at Bournemouth as injured players return to action at Chelsea.
Chelsea needed this break BADLY… but with so many players racking up minutes for their countries, did it actually help them or could it have made things worse? 🤔
Let us know your reasoning! 👇
Personally there was too much play acting by, Enzo, Neto and Cucurella then followed suit. Had Maresca lost control of this group or did he actually tell them to do it. Either way it exasperated referees and then the cards added up.
A red card waiting to happen. Which unfortunately with our recent disciplinary history was a major problem imo
Moises Caicedo, Marco Palestra push Gusto down pecking order
Gusto has been used as a right wing-back and in central midfield by Alonso. But with Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo back in the side on Saturday, Gusto has fallen down the pecking order in both positions.
Reece James’ return, whenever that might be, will reduce Gusto’s game time even further. So, despite his early starts for Chelsea under Alonso, it makes sense that he is now considering his future at Chelsea.
Why Pedro Neto is pushing Gusto out of the Chelsea exit door
Bringing Palestra to the club was always going to push Gusto towards an exit. Alonso sees James as the first choice in midfield with Caicedo, so Palestra and Gusto were seen as the right wing-back options.
Gusto is only an emergency option in midfield. But Alonso will not have seen Pedro Neto adapting so well to the wing-back role. This is a player who is naturally a winger, and could have left Chelsea himself.
Neto has played in all eight of Chelsea’s games so far, starting the last five Premier League matches after being a sub in the opening win over Fulham. Alonso clearly didn’t see Neto as a wing-back option initially.
But now, Neto is first choice on the right flank, even if it means he is no longer operating in his natural role as an attacking winger – as he does with Portugal. Neto has proven he can adapt to Alonso’s system.
To the point that he is starting ahead of Gusto, in what is Gusto’s natural position. Alonso had planned for Gusto to be in direct competition with Palestra, but Neto’s versatility is now pushing Gusto out of Chelsea.