Malo Gusto’s Struggles Raise Questions About His Chelsea Future

Xabi Alonso is typically measured in his public comments, but his use of the word “soft” when reflecting on Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Hull City carried clear weight. Speaking after the match, Alonso emphasized the importance of readiness and physicality in modern football, noting how vulnerable teams become when they fail to match the intensity of their opponents in every situation.

“We need to be aware that from any situation, any team in the Premier League can hurt you,” Alonso said. “That goal came from a long ball, two bounces, the way it happened. You need to be very aware, very ready that the danger can come from any situation. If you are soft or if you are not prepared, you will get punished, and we have been punished that way.”

While Alonso avoided naming individuals, the defensive lapses that led to Hull’s late equalizer — scored by Mohamed Belloumi following a breakdown involving Malo Gusto — left little doubt about where the criticism might be directed. The sequence began with Gusto being outmuscled by Hull’s left-back Ryan Giles, leading to a cross that deceived Jorrel Hato and set up the decisive goal.

Gusto’s afternoon was marked by a series of physical and tactical challenges. A widely shared clip from the 74th minute showed him cleanly through on goal after clever interplay from Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, only to be brazenly shouldered off the ball by defender Semi Ajayi in a challenge that barely drew protest from players or supporters alike.

Gusto struggled to cope with Hull’s physicality on Saturday (Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images)

Such robust challenges rarely result in penalties in today’s Premier League, where physical dominance is often rewarded. Notably, there was minimal outcry from Gusto, his teammates, or the home crowd when Ajayi sent him sprawling.

Throughout the match, Gusto’s performance prompted audible reactions from the Stamford Bridge faithful. Every misplaced pass or hesitation in possession drew boos from the stands, and his substitution in the 78th minute — following a contentious fall from a challenge near midfield — was met with mixed applause as Chelsea weathered a dangerous spell on his flank.

While these issues have surfaced recently, they are not entirely new. Gusto’s role as a focal point for criticism intensified following goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s late-summer loan exit to Como, which shifted additional scrutiny toward the backline. For a player once valued at £75 million ($101 million) during last year’s transfer window, this evolution in perception is notable — though not entirely unexpected given the circumstances.

Gusto has never been considered untouchable at Chelsea, yet he remains one of the most promising acquisitions of the new ownership era. Signed from Lyon for €30 million (£25.7 million/$34.6 million) plus add-ons in January 2023, he quickly became a standout performer under Mauricio Pochettino during his first season in England. Under Enzo Maresca, he played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph, delivering a memorable performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

Gusto was excellent against PSG in the 2025 Club World Cup final (Al Bello/Getty Images)

That victory represented one of the few instances where Maresca utilized Gusto’s pace and athleticism in a traditional wing-back capacity, allowing him to thrive in wide areas.

However, more commonly, the Italian tactician deployed him in an inverted midfield role, where his technical limitations became more apparent in tight spaces. This tactical shift was particularly evident in his lackluster display against Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final earlier this year, suggesting a player constrained by positional demands rather than empowered by them.

Alonso has also experimented with Gusto in central midfield, though options in that area remain limited due to injuries across the squad. The broader concern lies in how his weaknesses have recently overshadowed his strengths, even when operating in his preferred position along the right flank.

Despite these struggles, Gusto possesses undeniable talent. His crossing ability shone through during his breakout 2023-24 campaign, contributing nine assists in 37 matches across all competitions. He understands how to execute wide rotations effectively, a skill that aligns well with both Maresca’s and now Alonso’s tactical philosophies. Defensively, his speed allows him to track back quickly and guard against counterattacks, particularly from set-piece situations.

Nevertheless, his impact this season has been minimal, producing few dangerous deliveries across six appearances. Opponents increasingly disregard his threat on the ball, and defensively, his lack of physical presence stands out in a league increasingly defined by aerial duels, second-ball recoveries, and set-piece battles.

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The Hull performance underscored these concerns. Gusto failed to win a single duel — aerial or ground-based — and managed to put himself in a position to contest just three during his 78 minutes on the pitch.

On off days like these, Gusto embodies frustrations shared by many Chelsea supporters: a tendency toward passive play that reflects deeper structural issues within the team.

Additional poor performances could jeopardize his first-team status, especially in a campaign without European competition to provide alternative opportunities. Moises Caicedo’s return to midfield could open the door for Reece James to reclaim the right-back spot, while Pedro Neto has already proven effective as a situational right wing-back. Summer signing Marco Palestra is expected to fill a similar role upon recovering from injury, and academy graduate Josh Acheampong continues to impress whenever called upon.

Gusto does not warrant the lofty expectations tied to his £75 million valuation, nor does he deserve the harshest criticism from those quick to judge. However, as Chelsea navigates yet another transitional phase under Alonso, the clock is ticking for him to reclaim his place among the starting XI.

He has the tools to contribute meaningfully, but time — and patience — may be running thin.

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