Chelsea Star Malo Gusto Slams Team After Lincoln City Scare

Chelsea star Malo Gusto has made a stinging assessment of the Blues’ performance in their narrow Carabao Cup win over Lincoln City, admitting that Enzo Maresca’s side were “bullied” by the League One opposition and “played like kids” for large stretches of the match.

Primary Focus: Chelsea’s Struggles Against Lincoln City

Chelsea’s Carabao Cup journey almost ended in embarrassment as they narrowly scraped past Lincoln City at the LNER Stadium. Right from kickoff, Chelsea looked a shadow of their Premier League selves. Malo Gusto, who started at right-back, did not mince his words after the final whistle. “We played like kids,” Gusto said, adding that Lincoln’s physicality and determination unsettled one of the Premier League’s biggest teams.

Maresca’s Tactics Under Scrutiny

Enzo Maresca’s first cup fixture in charge highlighted some glaring issues. Chelsea failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes and went into halftime trailing 1-0. Lincoln City, sitting comfortably in mid-table in League One, pressed high and refused to allow Chelsea’s midfielders any time or space. Maresca’s side struggled to adapt, and their lack of urgency was clear.

Lincoln City’s Relentless Approach

Lincoln’s pressing game and physical dominance rattled Chelsea. Long balls and aggressive tackles broke up Chelsea’s rhythm, with the League One outfit outmuscling the Blues in almost every duel. Lincoln’s opening goal came as no surprise, and Chelsea’s defense looked shaky under pressure.

Chelsea’s Fightback in the Carabao Cup

Chelsea managed to turn things around late in the second half, equalizing with a scrappy goal before edging ahead in injury time. However, the manner of victory left fans and pundits with questions. Malo Gusto’s post-match comments—admitting the team was “bullied”—painted a stark picture of the reality on the pitch.

Gusto’s Honest Reflection

Gusto’s brutal honesty is a breath of fresh air in an era where players often stick to safe, generic soundbites. “We were bullied,” he repeated, crediting Lincoln for their intensity. He called on his teammates to show more character and physical resilience going forward.

What This Means for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea

The Carabao Cup tie exposed tactical and mental frailties in Maresca’s new-look Chelsea. While the Blues advanced to the next round, the nature of their performance raised doubts about whether the squad is ready to compete on multiple fronts this season. The manager’s possession-based approach needs tweaking if Chelsea are to avoid similar scares against supposedly weaker opponents.

Fans Demand More from the Blues

Chelsea supporters have grown accustomed to silverware, and scrappy wins over lower-league sides are unlikely to be celebrated for long. The expectation at Stamford Bridge is clear: dominate, impress, and progress. A repeat of the Lincoln City performance would bring further criticism and increased pressure on Maresca and his players.

Looking Ahead: Chelsea’s Next Challenge

With Premier League action on the horizon, Chelsea must regroup quickly. Maresca will need to address the team’s lack of cutting edge and resolve. Upcoming fixtures will provide little margin for error, and every player will be under the microscope after Gusto’s candid remarks.

For more updates on Chelsea and comprehensive football coverage, visit for more news.

Opinion: Honesty Could Be Chelsea’s Turning Point

Malo Gusto’s open criticism could prove to be a wake-up call for Chelsea. Accepting reality is the first step toward improvement. If Maresca and his squad take Gusto’s words to heart, this difficult night in Lincoln might just spark the attitude shift needed to reignite the Blues’ season.