Enzo Maresca will be looking to rotate wherever he can as Chelsea prepare for the first leg of the Conference League semi-final against Djurgarden.
The Blues are locked in a fierce battle to finish in the top five of the Premier League, with their hopes boosted by the recent big win over Everton.
The game was marked by the return of Romeo Lavia, with Chelsea fans impressed with what they saw from the midfielder as they hope he can make an impact before the end of the campaign.
The Belgian’s presence on the pitch saw Moises Caicedo start at right-back, although Peter Crouch believes Caicedo invented his own position with how much he played in midfield.
The Ecuador international is one of the main contenders for a rest in the Conference League due to his importance to the side, which could see Maresca looking elsewhere for a solution.
Malo Gusto set to return for Chelsea’s Conference League semi-final
With Reece James making more of his appearances in central midfield, the responsibility has normally been handed to Malo Gusto to carry out the right-back duties.
The Frenchman was unavailable for selection against Everton at the weekend, however according to The Evening Standard, he is set to return to the matchday squad for the first leg of the semi-final against Djurgarden.
Gusto has only made three appearances in Europe this season, however two of those came in the quarter-finals against Legia Warsaw.
Malo Gusto struggling under Enzo Maresca
Last season saw the right-back burst onto the scene as one of the most impressive players in a Chelsea shirt. Cole Palmer even voted Gusto as his player of the season.
However, his role has changed under the new manager, with him being tasked with picking up positions inside rather than overlapping down the wing.
It has been clear that Gusto has struggled in Maresca’s system, despite the fact that he has been a regular in the side this season.
The Conference League will be a great opportunity to ease him back into minutes in order to avoid him picking up another injury problem before the end of the season.
