When we heard from Enzo Maresca after Chelsea’s draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday, we knew it was going to be a frustrating fortnight of injury worries.
Right back Malo Gusto had limped off towards the end of the game appearing to clutch his hamstring, but the press conference came so soon after that Maresca didn’t have any further details, only noting that it appeared to be something “muscular”.
Of course, with that window missed and the international break coming up, we knew right away we were set for a frustrating fortnight of speculation about how bad the right back’s issue is.
Chelsea’s issue and its potential resolutions
Well, a new clue has arrived today. It was announced today that Gusto had pulled out of international duty with the French U21 squad thanks to the injury, which is referred to as a “thigh” problem in their statement.
Players are very risk averse in these situations, and are usually pretty happy to sack off U21 duty if it puts their club season even slightly in danger, so we’re not reading into it too much. But it’s not a great sign.
Gusto’s alternative at right back is Reece James, who has not featured at all yet this season after picking up an injury in training in the final days of preseason. His status is also pretty uncertain, and after effectively a month out it would be a big ask to chuck him in with a start in the Premier League game. However if Gusto’s injury is enough to keep him out next weekend (and it looks like it will be), James might have to be risked.