Enzo Maresca has had to deal with a lot of injury problems at Chelsea this season, especially of late.
It has obviously not been ideal for the Chelsea manager, but players outside of the regular starting XI have been handed opportunities as a result.
The above includes the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo and Malo Gusto, with the former having covered for Wesley Fofana pretty well.
Chelsea probably could have done with Adarabioyo and his height in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal just before the international break, conceding from a set piece that day. As for Gusto, though, he has not been as impressive.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Malo Gusto has not taken chance under Enzo Maresca
Last season, you would have to say that Gusto was one of Chelsea‘s top performers. He was really good for the Blues, especially going forward.
In total, the 21-year-old made 37 appearances and registered nine assists, which is a great return for a full-back.
Costing around £30m%20in%20add%2Dons.), Gusto looked like a real bargain. Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand even named Gusto in his Team of the Season.
Fast forward to the current campaign, and the Frenchman had a real opportunity to cement a place in the Chelsea side, with Reece James having more injury problems.
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However, Gusto has disappointed when he has played this term, not offering the same kind of attacking threat that he did under Mauricio Pochettino. The former Lyon man has only recorded one assist in the Premier League so far.
The above may be due to Maresca using Gusto as an inverted full-back at times, but at this point, he has blown his chance to become the first-choice right-back. James is fit again and has not underwhelmed since returning. If he remains fit, Gusto will not be getting back into the team over him.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Reece James sends everyone reminder
Because of all of the games that James has missed, it has been easy to forget just how good of a footballer he actually is.
The Chelsea captain reminded everyone of just that with a sublime free-kick for England on Monday night, while he also scored a very good goal in the Conference League earlier this month.
His strike against Copenhagen came from midfield, an area of the pitch Maresca can really envision the 25-year-old playing in.
When Maresca discussed James’ performance at Parken Stadium, he said: “You can ask Reece, when I signed for Chelsea, the day after I sent him a video about seeing him as a midfielder. I see Reece as a midfielder.”
But with the Italian having Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia as his main midfield options, do not expect to see James starting in the middle of the pitch too often.
James is Chelsea’s first-choice right-back, with Gusto not doing anywhere near enough to take that status away from him during the England international’s absence.