Malo Gusto believes it is important for Chelsea to show a good reaction by getting back to winning ways and book our place in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals.
We host Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of our Conference League quarter-final tomorrow (Thursday) evening, and go into the match with a healthy 3-0 aggregate lead from the first game in the Polish capital last week.
However, Gusto is focused on the performance as well as our progress to the last four, believing the Blues need to show a strong reaction after having to settle for one point from Sunday’s Premier League draw with Ipswich Town in our most recent fixture.
With tomorrow presenting the first opportunity to bounce back, the Frenchman revealed that has very much been the message in training in the last couple of days, as the Blues prepared to take on Legia Warsaw.
‘The message was more about the reaction we have to show, especially tomorrow against Legia to make the semi-final,’ explained Gusto.
‘It will be the most important thing for us, to continue to build something, to keep the fans behind us and play game after game to win as much as we can.
‘That’s when you see if you’re a good team or not, in a difficult moment. You just have to stick all together. The most important thing is the reaction, to continue to build something as a team.
‘We are Chelsea, so we just have to show our talent and our desire to win. The most important thing is to continue to create these things between us and show it on the pitch.’
Gusto also discussed his own development this season. Under Enzo Maresca, he has often been asked to come inside and bolster midfield numbers in possession, rather than stay wide and hug the touchline.
It is a new role for the 21-year-old, but one he believes is allowing him to become a more complete player.
‘It’s completely different to last year, but that is the coach’s plan,’ continued Malo. ‘I just try to do my best.
‘A few players, Reece [James] as well, play the same way, but the most important thing for me and for us as a right-back is to help the team and that’s what we try to do. I just try to give my best on the pitch when the coach puts me in.
‘There are many things I can still improve. I have to work a lot more. For me it’s not enough, I’m just at the beginning of my career, so I have to continue to work.
‘This year is different to last year, but I’ve learned a lot of things about the new position, the way I have to think on the pitch. For me it’s good to continue to be more complete. For the team, it’s important for me to try to help as much as I can, that’s why I try to do as much as possible.’
Gusto’s next chance to help the team could come tomorrow evening as we aim to finish the job in our Conference League quarter-final and book our place in the semis with a strong performance against Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge.
Make sure to secure your spot at Stamford Bridge as the Blues bid to reach the UEFA Conference League semi-finals on Thursday 17 April. Club Chelsea packages are available from £160pp – buy yours now by clicking here. Westview is exclusively available to CFC Members here.
