Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca ahead of the Conference League final.Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca ahead of the Conference League final.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca ahead of the Conference League final. | AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca must ask questions about one player’s performance in the Conference League final.
Chelsea were crowned Europa Conference League winners on Wednesday evening and end a positive season of progress under Enzo Maresca with a piece of silverware.
The Blues became the first team to win all four European trophies, having already won the Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup. Now, attention will start to turn to the 2025/26 campaign when Chelsea will be back in Champions League action.
While the first team stars will still be proud of their performances on Wednesday, there is one Chelsea player who had somewhat of a car crash outing against Real Betis. That is Malo Gusto, who was given the nod to start ahead of Reece James at right back.
Malo Gusto struggles on the big stage
The Maresca system asks a lot of the players in that position, who often push forwards and cut inside to influence play. However, he looked out of his depth in the first half and was given the humiliation of being hooked at half time by his manager.
Gusto found himself out of position for the Real Betis goal and, moments later, was nearly shown up again when putting in a weak challenge on the edge of the box. Speaking at half time, former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell admitted that the player ‘wasn’t at the races’.
Also working on punditry, Joe Cole said: “There’s a couple warning signs early on. In a game like this with the intensity, you cannot relax in the first 15 minutes. Gusto has had a bad game with captain Reece James sitting on the bench.”
Maresca did bring James on at half time and the Chelsea team was revitalised. On the big stage, there’s no competition between who should be starting and if Chelsea want to impress in the Champions League, then surely Gusto is not the man to help them do that.
Gusto aware of ‘difficult’ year at Chelsea
The player himself is aware of his current struggles. He recently told L’Equipe: “There is competition, you can’t hide behind that. But on my season, there were events that meant that I played a lot and then less. Those are the risks of playing at a big club. The objective is now to remain well established. I have confidence in myself. I haven’t always shown it, and I haven’t always had the attitude to reflect that. You have to first convince yourself before convincing others.
“Doubts? Never. I know that, if I am here, it is because I deserve to be. You have to make steps to be even better. In the first season, everything was beautiful and rosy, everything went well. This year has been a lot more difficult, especially from a personal point of view, for different reasons. It has allowed me to learn, especially to understand what my priorities should be. I am very far away from where I should be. It is my responsibility.”
Nonetheless, it seems as if Gusto will be extending his stay at Stamford Bridge. Transfer specialist Graeme Bailey claimed that the club could look to sign a new player in that position but that a new deal could also be on its way to the Frenchman.
He told the Chelsea Chronicle: “He’s proven he is a huge part of the squad. I firmly believe that will get done [contract extension]. It’s too far to say he’s essential, but they’d struggle if he wasn’t there. The right-back situation is interesting. Do we see another one come in? I still think we do see a full-back come in. Let’s keep an eye on that, but I do expect Gusto’s new deal soon.”
In other news, Jadon Sancho showed class in touching moment with Antony after Chelsea Conference League win.
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