Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is back in the spotlight.
The situation unfolded when Maresca expressed that he felt unsupported before the team’s 2-0 victory over Everton earlier this month.
Simon Jordan criticized these comments, calling them “absurd.”
Chelsea had recently lost 2-1 to Atalanta in the Champions League, which seemed to contribute to Maresca’s frustrations.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Malo Gusto replaced Enzo Fernandez during the Atalanta match and played in a central role.
This decision reportedly raised concerns within the club, as per journalist Matt Law.
On the London Is Blue podcast, Law mentioned that Maresca faced criticism for placing Gusto in that position, noting some surprise among staff regarding the choice.
If Maresca continues to feel unsupported at Chelsea, he might consider a move to Manchester City next summer.
Speculation has connected him to City as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola, especially with talks about Guardiola possibly leaving at the season’s end.
Malo Gusto’s best role
Gusto is unlikely to thrive as a No.10; his strengths lie in adapting to an inverted full-back role and playing in central midfield.
However, he excels when he operates down the right flank, where he can dribble effectively and deliver threatening crosses.
This ability allowed him to register nine assists in the 2023/24 season, where he served as a more traditional full-back under Mauricio Pochettino.
Given his current performance, Maresca may not need to adjust his approach. Nevertheless, Chelsea will likely prefer him not to play as an attacking midfielder frequently, especially with options like Fernandez, Cole Palmer, and Joao Pedro available.
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