There were plenty of positives to take from Chelsea’s pre-season match against Club America on Thursday, including the performance of one individual in a new position.
Blues head coach Enzo Maresca watched his side record their first win of the pre-season tour by beating Club America 3-0. Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke each netted penalty kicks, while Marc Guiu got on the scoresheet with a headed goal.
Maresca’s style of play is slowly appearing in the team, albeit it was just the third friendly match under him. Chelsea are going to be a side that try to build out from the back and dictate the ball, while also attacking with real pace in wide areas.
Speaking via Chelsea’s official website before the Club America match, Maresca urged Chelsea to improve on and off the ball. He should certainly be putting a tick by that objective in his post-match notes.
- READ MORE: Enzo Maresca says £52m Chelsea player is a ‘very good’ fit for his system after Club America win
Malo Gusto was superb in new position
For the first time under Maresca this summer, Chelsea’s Malo Gusto lined up in the left-back position. The £26m defender (Sky Sports) is a right-back by trade and right-footed, but he did show last season his versatility across the backline.
The individual performance of Gusto in the win over Club America was certainly one of the biggest takeaways.
Gusto lasted 70 minutes and started as a left-back, but when his side were in possession he inverted into a central midfield position. That left a back three behind him of Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Reece James.
Based on Gusto’s performance on Thursday, he’d have absolutely no issue playing that role in the new season. The Frenchman looked so assured anytime he was in midfield, while defensively 1v1 he’s very reliable.
Fans would be right to question if he’s got the technical game to cope in the centre of the park, but some of his passing and dribbling to break the lines was so effective. He absolutely thrived in the role and perhaps the manager has stumbled upon a new formula to use that fits him and James in the same XI.
FotMob data provided the match statistics from Gusto’s eye-catching performance versus Club America:
- Match rating – 7.2
- Minutes played – 71
- Accurate passes – 54/56 (96%)
- Recoveries – 7
- Tackles won – 1/1 (100%)
- Fouls committed – 1
Malo Gusto injury update
Gusto was substituted off for the final 20 minutes with a suspected injury problem after spending some time on the floor with medical staff. Thankfully, it’s good news about the versatile talent.
Gusto was only struggling with cramp in the second-half against Club America, it was confirmed by Maresca. The same goes for teammates Benoit Badiashile and Christopher Nkunku, too.
Next, Chelsea turn their attention to a friendly match with Manchester City this weekend. It’s all about building up the squad’s fitness so they peak for the Premier League opener next month, which is ironically against Man City, but you don’t want to overplay individuals.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
