Malo Gusto Lauds Maresca in Subtle Pochettino Dig

Malo Gusto has lifted the lid on life at Chelsea under incoming head coach Enzo Maresca, praising the Italian’s tactical clarity while throwing a thinly veiled jab at former manager Mauricio Pochettino. The French right-back, who broke into the first team during the Argentine’s single season in charge, believes the squad already “knows exactly where to stand and why” under Maresca’s positional-play blueprint—a contrast he suggests did not exist last term.

Malo Gusto on Why Maresca’s Vision Feels Different

Speaking to club media after the first week of pre-season, Malo Gusto described Maresca’s drills as “chess on grass”, with every cone and rondo designed to rehearse match-day scenarios. He underlined that the former Leicester City boss “talks in pictures”, replacing long speeches with video clips and on-pitch demonstrations that accelerate understanding. For a young core boasting Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and the defender himself, that level of detail is proving invaluable.

Subtle Swipe at Pochettino’s Methods

Without mentioning Mauricio Pochettino by name, Malo Gusto hinted that last season’s approach lacked the same level of precision. “When players are free to interpret everything, it is easy to miss connections,” he explained, adding that Maresca’s system “gives freedom inside a clear frame.” The comment echoes rumblings from Stamford Bridge insiders who felt Pochettino’s high-energy philosophy sometimes blurred responsibilities, particularly in build-up play.

How Maresca Plans to Unlock Chelsea’s Full-Backs

A key pillar of Maresca’s Manchester City apprenticeship under Pep Guardiola was the inverted full-back. Malo Gusto revealed that he and Reece James are already working on stepping into midfield during the first phase, allowing Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández to push higher. “It means I touch the ball more, and I love that,” said the 21-year-old. Early sessions have emphasised diagonal switches to stretch opponents—a tactic Chelsea will hope pays dividends against Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s Club World Cup final.

Pochettino’s Legacy Still Valued

To his credit, Malo Gusto did acknowledge Pochettino’s role in blooding the second-youngest squad in Premier League history and steering the Blues to that global showpiece match in the United States. The Argentine’s man-management, he said, “gave us personality.” Yet the underlying message remained: Maresca’s micro-managed system is what the squad now trusts to translate promise into trophies.

Squad Reactions Match Gusto’s Enthusiasm

Sources around Cobham confirm that Malo Gusto’s viewpoint is widely shared. Captain Ben Chilwell noted the “step-by-step build-up patterns,” while goalkeeper Djordje Petrović called the Italian’s training “the most educational” he has experienced. There is also relief that Maresca’s five-year contract signals long-term planning after the managerial carousel that followed Roman Abramovich’s exit.

What Success Will Look Like

Victory over PSG would hand Chelsea a first Club World Cup crown since 2021 and give Maresca instant credibility. But even in defeat, fans will scrutinise how fluently the new structure functions. Malo Gusto believes supporters will quickly spot the differences: “The distances between us will be shorter, the ball will move faster, and everyone will know the next pass.”

Stat Pack: Comparing the Coaches

• Under Pochettino, Chelsea averaged 55% possession and 10 progressive passes per 90 from full-backs.
• Maresca’s Leicester side topped the Championship with 62% possession and 16 progressive passes from wide defenders.
If those numbers translate, Malo Gusto could become a central figure rather than a touch-line hugger.

Fixture Focus: Eyes on Paris

Chelsea’s clash with PSG in Atlanta is more than a summer exhibition. Malo Gusto is likely to start opposite Kylian Mbappé, offering an immediate test of his inverted role’s defensive sturdiness. A solid showing would validate Maresca’s tweaks and vindicate the Frenchman’s public vote of confidence.

Transfer Implications

The 23-year-old’s endorsement indirectly places pressure on Chelsea’s hierarchy to back Maresca in the market. With Marc Cucurella and Trevoh Chalobah available for sale, funds may be redirected toward a deeper-lying midfielder to complement the full-backs’ inward runs.

In My Opinion

Malo Gusto’s comments feel less like a swipe and more like a manifesto for the future. If Maresca can couple tactical structure with the liberty that young talents crave, Chelsea might finally bridge the gap between potential and consistency. The proof will arrive on the pitch, but early signs suggest Stamford Bridge could be in for a far more coherent ride.