Enzo Maresca decision raises eyebrows inside Chelsea this season

Malo Gusto came on for Enzo Fernandez during the Atalanta game and ended up playing in the No.10 role.

It was a move that reportedly raised some questions within the club, according to journalist Matt Law.

Speaking on the London Is Blue podcast, Law said: “He [Maresca] had received criticism for putting Gusto into the 10 position against Atalanta. I put it in my report actually; I criticised him for it. I think there was a little bit of surprise internally over that as well.”

If Maresca still feels unsupported at Chelsea, he might consider a move to Manchester City next summer.

Reports have linked Maresca to City as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola. With speculation growing about Guardiola’s potential departure at the end of the season, those links have started to gain traction.

Malo Gusto’s best role

Gusto is never going to be a No.10; it is as simple as that. However, the 22-year-old is adapting to his inverted full-back role and playing in central midfield.

Still, Gusto is probably at his best when he is going down the right flank. The Frenchman can dribble with the ball and put dangerous balls into the box.

It is why he was able to register nine assists in the 2023/24 season, with Mauricio Pochettino using him as a more traditional full-back.

Gusto is playing well now, though, so perhaps Maresca does not need to change anything. Going forward, though, Chelsea fans will not want to see their France international playing too often as an attacking midfielder.

With Fernandez, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro in the squad, it really should not be happening.