Jose Mourinho named Malo Gusto as the Chelsea star who was struggling to the point where Enzo Maresca had to replace him in the Champions League victory over Benfica.
‘The Special One’ returned to Benfica, the club where he began his management career 25 years ago, in September with another emotional reunion taking place at Stamford Bridge this week.
Chelsea sealed a 1-0 victory over the Portuguese giants on Tuesday night in west London on what turned out to be a frustrating night for Mourinho with an own goal from Richard Rios the difference.
With a huge game against Liverpool looming in the Premier League this weekend, Maresca named Gusto at right-back as he continues to manage Reece James’ minutes in order to give the Blues captain the best chance of staying fit.
The France international played 81 minutes before he was replaced by James as Chelsea held on to a narrow lead to seal their first win in Europe this season.
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While Chelsea are without key personnel at the back and Cole Palmer, Mourinho was quick to point to the quality Maresca has at his disposal in being able to bring England international James off the bench.
But the former Blues believed Gusto had struggled throughout the game.
‘I’ve tried to play fresh people, I try to play a second striker, I try to play a new left winger,’ Mourinho said in his post-match press conference.
‘I saw Malo Gusto in difficulties. But then Maresca has Malo Gusto in difficulties so he change for a better player than Malo Gusto.
‘This is Chelsea’s squad that allows them to do that.
‘I’m there for 10 days, I play four matches in 10 days so everything was travel, play, recovery, play, recover, play, travel, so there is not much time for development. But today I liked the performance very much.’
Chelsea have major problems at the back ahead of their weekend clash with Liverpool with Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana ruled out along with long-term absentee Levi Colwill.
Trevoh Chalobah will serve a suspension after his red card against Brighton with 19-year-old Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile Maresca’s only available centre-halves.