Malo Gusto is facing a crossroads at international level after the full-back wasn't included in Zindine Zidane's first France squad.
The 23-year-old has been in and out of the Chelsea first team ever since his transfer from Lyon three years ago.
Although it seemed like he could be on his way to Manchester City last summer, after a transfer failed to materalise, Gusto has been forced to remain at Stamford Bridge.
And while he continues to force his way into Xabi Alonso's plans, the Frenchman has fallen way out of favour for his country.
Zinedine Zidane doesn't rate Malo Gusto
Zidane, who took charge of his first France camp after replacing Didier Deschamps as Les Bleus' national manager, failed to call Gusto up.
Prior to his most recent exclusion, Gusto had won 16 caps for France but he's been forced to wait for his 17th.
L'Equipe claim the former Real Madrid manager believes the Chelsea right-back is 'not defensively good enough'.
And after remaining unbeaten in all of their four Nations League matches, including thumping Belgium 4-1, very few can argue with Zidane's first selection.
The worrying assessment won't go unnoticed by Alonso, who, after following in Zidane's footsteps at Real Madrid during his playing days, will certainly value the 54-year-old's opinion.
Consequently, it's going to be interesting to see, not only how Gusto handles the setback, but also what Alonso decides to do.
Gusto in line to start against Bournemouth
Currently, the new Chelsea manager has three right-backs: Gusto, Marco Palestra and captain Reece James, but the latter two are currently ruled out with injuries.
That would suggest Gusto, coming off the back of a three week rest, is in line to start against Bournemouth on the weekend.
The Blues will host the Cherries at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and hope to return to winning ways after suffering an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Brentford in their last game before the recent international break.
Although it's unlikely due to other results, all three points for Chelsea could see them move as high as fourth in the table, but in order for that to happen, the entire squad will need to step up.
For Gusto though, there is added incentive to put in a top performance. This weekend's match will be the 23-year-old's first chance to prove Zidane wrong, and with Bournemouth's flying wingers, there will be plenty of opportunities for Gusto to prove he's defensively capable.
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