Enzo Maresca’s pet project at Chelsea needs to come to an end, it’s hurting £30m player so badly

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Chelsea are set to end the weekend in the top four, however find themselves under serious pressure from the chasing pack in the Premier League.

The Blues were held to a 0-0 draw by Brentford at the Gtech Community stadium, although opposition manager Thomas Frank believed his side deserved to win.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	31	22	7	2	72	30	42	73
2	ArsenalArsenal	31	17	11	3	56	26	30	62
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	31	17	6	8	51	37	14	57
4	ChelseaChelsea	31	15	8	8	54	37	17	53
5	Man CityManchester City	31	15	7	9	57	40	17	52
6	Aston VillaAston Villa	31	14	9	8	46	46	0	51
7	NewcastleNewcastle	29	15	5	9	49	39	10	50

Enzo Maresca decided to make a number of changes to the side who picked up a big win over Tottenham on Thursday night, with the games set to come thick and fast between now and the end of the season.

Christopher Nkunku wasted his chance to impress, as the likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson’s importance to the side was only reaffirmed.

• READ MORE: Chelsea fans send Enzo Maresca a clear message with two chants during Brentford draw

Enzo Maresca’s Malo Gusto plan is costing Chelsea

There was a start for club captain Reece James on the left of defence, as Malo Gusto again was instructed to fufil the right-back role that also involves inverting inside to help out the midfield.

Gusto has not taken his chance this season to nail down a role in the side in the absence of the skipper, and is continuing to look uncomfortable playing with the instructions from Maresca.

The Frenchman’s one vs one defending is still strong. For two consecutive games now since the international break his opposing winger has had very little impact on the game.

However, he has been unable to pick up the ball in his strongest areas at the other end of the pitch, with him excelling as an out-and-out full-back.

Key Chelsea players missing full strength Malo Gusto

A number of other players are suffering from Gusto not being at 100% this season too. The link-up with Palmer last season under Mauricio Pochettino was a big factor into him being so impressive.

The England international was a runaway leader for the club’s player of the season award last campaign, however Palmer voted for Gusto to win the award, showing how impressive he was in his first season as a Chelsea player after his £30m move.

Maresca is missing out on that variant of the Frenchman by constantly asking him to invert into the midfield. His attacking runs have sometimes seen him crop up in roles that look more like where the left winger or striker should be.

The Blues are clearly protecting James at this moment in time following his long-term injury problems, however he would far better suit what is being asked of that role, especially after the manager admitted he sees the 25-year-old as a midfielder.