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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner

Maresca making squad balancing act work as Chelsea play the long game

Chelsea Enzo Maresca Malo Gusto Reece James Marc Cucurella Joao Félix Pedro Neto Arsenal Enzo Fernández Mykhailo Mudryk
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca issues instructions to his players during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca gestures to his players during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

For Malo Gusto, it was possible to fear the worst as he waited for Enzo Maresca to name his Chelsea team for Sunday’s Stamford Bridge derby against Arsenal. Gusto had been substituted at half-time in the previous weekend’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United, Marc Cucurella coming on at left-back, Reece James swapping over to his favoured position of right-back.

Gusto had been squeezed out. Cucurella is in form and James, well, he is the club captain, the homegrown favourite; available again, at long last, after his hamstring problems. It would be him and Cucurella against Arsenal, right?

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