Worst Players
Malo Gusto
The French full-back was one of Chelsea’s most consistent players during the 2023-24 season. Despite playing in the Premier League for the first time, and in a team full of issues, he remained one of the bright spots. His ability to provide width for wingers and cover the entire flank was crucial for the Blues.
However, Enzo Maresca seems to believe that full-backs are unnecessary in football, despite teams worldwide proving their importance. As a result, Gusto has been forced to invert into midfield, even though his strengths lie in playing as a traditional full-back. This tactical shift has prevented him from displaying the qualities he showed last season.
Much of the blame for Malo Gusto’s below-par performances falls on Maresca rather than the player himself. Not every player can adapt to every tactical demand. Instead of utilizing Gusto’s proven strengths, Maresca is forcing him into an unnatural role.
Even Reece James, who has experience playing in midfield, has struggled to make an impact in this inverted role. The issue isn’t just inverting full-backs, it’s Maresca’s insistence on doing so even when it adds nothing to the team while simultaneously exposing Chelsea’s flanks to opposition wingers. This was evident when Kaoru Mitoma had his best game of the season against Chelsea, exploiting the space left open by Maresca’s system.