Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has found his name in the headlines recently.
It all started after Maresca claimed that he had not been supported prior to Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Everton earlier this month.
Simon Jordan has hit out at Maresca following those comments, describing them as “absurd”.
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Chelsea had lost 2-1 to Atalanta in the Champions League before the Everton game, which seemingly contributed to Maresca’s outburst.
Chelsea surprised Enzo Maresca used Malo Gusto in No.10 position against Atalanta
During the Atalanta match, Malo Gusto replaced Enzo Fernandez and was put into the No.10 position.
It was a decision that surprised people inside Chelsea, 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.”
Imagine Enzo Maresca has just been sacked. Who should Chelsea hire to replace him?
If Maresca continues to feel a lack of support at Chelsea, he could leave the club for Manchester City next summer.
It has been reported that City have identified Maresca as a potential Pep Guardiola replacement. Rumours about Guardiola leaving at the end of the season have started to emerge, hence the Maresca links.
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 is capable of dribbling with the ball and putting 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 it is perhaps not necessary for Maresca to change anything. Going forward, though, the France international playing as an attacking midfielder is not something that Chelsea supporters will want to see too often.
In a team that possesses Fernandez, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, it should not be happening.
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