Despite boasting a stellar squad, Chelsea’s problems continue to mount. As the football world pauses for the international break and UEFA Euro qualification fixtures, one of the Blues’ key defenders has withdrawn from his national side’s U21 squad due to an injury.
The 21-year-old defender was notably pulled off the field during the second half of Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace, leaving Chelsea without a designated senior right-back. This absence is compounded by Reece James’ ongoing fitness issues and suspension, creating a significant void in the team’s defense.
As Chelsea grapples with these challenges, it will be interesting to see how the season unfolds for the Pensioners. With just three points from their first three Premier League fixtures, they are already struggling to find their footing in the campaign, and the mounting injuries only add to the uncertainty surrounding their prospects.
Malo Gusto pulls out from France U21 squad due to thigh injury
According to the Metro, Chelsea’s young talent Malo Gusto has withdrawn from France’s U21 squad, which was set to compete in a pair of home European Championship qualifiers against Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Gusto has quickly become an integral part of Enzo Maresca’s project at Chelsea, delivering impressive performances since joining the squad.
Chelsea signed the right-back from French club Olympique Lyon in 2023 for a fee of €30.00 million, although he spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Lyon. Gusto has made a total of 41 appearances for Chelsea so far, contributing nine assists.
This injury adds to Chelsea’s defensive woes, as the team is already without their captain and first-choice right-back, Reece James, who is sidelined with an injury sustained during a friendly against Real Madrid last month. The absence of both Gusto and James leaves a significant gap in the Blues’ defence as they navigate the early challenges of the Premier League season.
With Chelsea currently sitting in 11th place on the Premier League points table and now grappling with injury issues, Enzo Maresca faces an increasingly difficult task. His decisions on player selection for the upcoming season have already made headlines, and these recent setbacks will only add to the scrutiny.
The Blues are set to face Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on September 14, following the international break. The big question now is who will replace Malo Gusto in the starting XI and how the North Londoners will adapt on the pitch. With key players sidelined, Maresca will need to make strategic choices to ensure Chelsea can bounce back and find their rhythm in the coming matches.
