Chelsea’s emerging talent, Malo Gusto, faced an unfortunate setback when he had to withdraw from the French U21 squad due to a knee injury, sparking worries about Chelsea’s defensive lineup.
This setback followed Gusto’s participation in a thrilling 4-4 draw against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Despite contributing off the bench and the team securing a late equalizer, Gusto showed no apparent signs of injury.
His role in the squad became crucial during Reece James’ three-month absence, where he seamlessly filled in as the first-choice right-back. However, with James making a return, Gusto returned to his position as the understudy. Given James’ injury history, though, Gusto must stay prepared to step in at a moment’s notice.
The news of Gusto’s withdrawal from the French U21 team surfaced due to a ligament issue, heightening concerns about his availability for Chelsea. Meanwhile, James decided to opt out of England’s squad as a precautionary measure due to fitness concerns. Chelsea is now anxiously awaiting Gusto’s recovery ahead of their upcoming fixture against Newcastle after the international hiatus.
This injury setback adds an additional layer of uncertainty to Chelsea’s defensive strategies, especially with James also dealing with fitness worries. The team’s reliance on Gusto during James’ absence underscores the importance of his quick and full recovery to ensure defensive stability for Chelsea in the upcoming matches.
As the international break unfolds, all eyes will be on Gusto’s rehabilitation progress, with Chelsea fans hoping for a swift recovery to strengthen the team’s defensive options and provide reassurance in light of James’ intermittent fitness challenges.
