Chelsea ace heavily criticised by media after Flamengo defeat, “endured a really tricky afternoon” | OneFootball

Malo Gusto was heavily criticised by the media following Chelsea’s defeat to Flamengo in the Club World Cup on Friday.

The Blues followed up their opening win against LAFC with a 3-1 defeat against their Brazilian counterparts, despite Pedro Neto giving them a 1-0 lead at half time.

Chelsea fell apart in six calamitous second half minutes, where they conceded twice and Nicolas Jackson saw red for a horrendous tackle four minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Media criticise Gusto performance

Enzo Maresca made several changes like he said he would with Gusto, Enzo Fernandez, Trevoh Chalobah and Liam Delap all starting.

The Italian deployed Reece James in midfield with Gusto at right back, but the Frenchmen endured a difficult evening.

Gusto was beaten in the air for the first Flamengo goal and struggled to deal with with Luiz Araujo, and his latest poor performance follows a difficult season.

Gusto once again struggled in the defeat against Flamengo. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The media didn’t hide their feelings on the France international and he was heavily criticised for his performance in Philadelphia.

The Evening Standard gave him a four out of ten and wrote:

“Endured a really tricky afternoon, beaten in the air in the lead-up to Flamengo’s first goal.”

Goal also gave Gusto a four and wrote:

“The first two goals conceded involved men left free to play the ball across from the right, got forward when he could but too muted.”

The 22-year-old made 32 appearances in the league last season, but registered just one assist, and was nowhere near the standard he reached under Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea identify Hato as back-up for Cucurella

Whilst Gusto struggled the Blues are well stocked at right back, but the same can’t be said at left back, where Marc Cucurella is the only option in the squad.

Chelsea will have a major problem if Cucurella picks up an injury and they desperately need to bring in back-up for the Spain international.

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Ajax star Jorrel Hato has been identified as a target, with the Dutch side thought to value the 19-year-old at around €55m.

Chelsea are thought to have held initial discussions over a move for Hato, but rivals Arsenal are also interested in the teenager.