Yahoo Sports Maresca lifts the lid on why Chelsea ace has surprisingly found himself playing as a number ten
Enzo Maresca has revealed why Malo Gusto has found himself playing as a number ten in recent weeks and opened up on the Frenchman’s role in the side.
Gusto has been one of Chelsea’s best signings under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership given the well documented fitness issues with Reece James.
The 21-year-old impressed in his debut campaign and made 37 appearances in all competitions and provided an impressive nine assists.
Maresca on Gusto role in the team
Gusto started the season as Chelsea’s first choice right back, but with Reece James back fit and available again, he found himself playing at left back against Liverpool , with Maresca recently explaining an unusual incident with Gusto during that game.
In last weekend’s win against Newcastle both Gusto and James started with the Chelsea captain surprisingly starting at left back, a decision Maresca later explained.
Chelsea fans will have noticed in their recent games Gusto has found himself in some very advanced attacking positions and often picks the ball up on the edge of the box in a dangerous shooting position.
It’s certainly a surprise to see him so far up the pitch, but speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Manchester United Maresca elaborated on why that’s been happening.
“The reason why is because first of all, with Malo there playing as a 10 we can create and cause problems for the opponents,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“Malo is helping us with process. He is playing everywhere. Malo is doing well and he is going to continue doing that way.”
If Gusto is going to continue to find himself in those areas then he needs to improve on his shooting as often a lot of his efforts are wayward and end up in the stands.
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The Frenchman was left at home for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle and it will be interesting if he starts against United on Sunday and whether it will be at left or right back.
Whatever position Gusto plays in the side he generally delivers and does a great job for the team, and the Blues will need him at his best if they are to win at Old Trafford for the first time since 2013.
