Gary Cahill names the Chelsea star who really impressed him in club’s pre-season tour

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There are probably not too many positives for Chelsea to take away from their pre-season tour of the United States.

Chelsea lost three out of the five games they played and conceded so many goals. In their matches against Manchester City and Celtic, for example, the team conceded four times in each fixture.

Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea have a problem at the back, and that was clear as day in the majority of their friendlies.

The Blues finished their pre-season tour with a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, ending what was a disappointing trip to the US.

However, the performances of some players will be seen as a positive by Maresca.

• READ MORE: Malo Gusto names the objective Chelsea simply must achieve next season

Gary Cahill lauds Malo Gusto

While Malo Gusto is a right-back, the 21-year-old was used as a left-back at times during Chelsea’s pre-season tour.

There, he really caught the attention of former Chelsea captain Gary Cahill, who praised him just before the Blues’ final game in the United States against Real Madrid.

Speaking about Gusto prior to the match, Cahill told Chelsea’s official website: “I wasn’t in the USA for the first two games but at the Club America match, you could see the penny was dropping with the players and I thought Malo Gusto in the left-back position, where he moved into midfield in possession, played the position really well, and you could see other tactical aspects of the game coming to fruition.”

With Gusto playing at left-back, Ben Chilwell was left out of the Chelsea team in more than one game.

Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella Chelsea’s other left-back options

It would be a bit of a surprise if Maresca used Gusto as a left-back once the 2024/25 season starts.

As well as Chilwell, the new Chelsea manager has Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill, actual left-footers.

Had the former not reached the Euro 2024 final and made the trip to the States, he probably would have been starting on the left side of the Blues’ defence.

You would expect Cucurella to start the new campaign as Chelsea’s first-choice left-back, with Chilwell potentially being his deputy.

However, Maresca has not offered Chilwell any guarantees, putting his future in doubt. Chilwell’s price tag and wages could be a problem if the 27-year-old wants out of Stamford Bridge this month, though.