Player who frustrates fans but Maresca loves sent back from international camp with unclear issue | OneFootball

It’s been a record breaking international break for teams across the world in terms of players pulling out of their commitments.

The timing of the break – the third since the summer, and leading us into the Christmas period – is meaning a lot of players are clearly feeling they need a break rather than a training camp and two games in 10 days.

We heard yesterday that Wesley Fofana had withdrawn from France duty, and today we can add Malo Gusto to that list, as the 21 year old pulled out of his nation’s Under-21 group.

Chelsea didn’t give much detail on the injury on their website, and we would imagine it’s just a tweak from accumulated fatigue more than anything serious. Gusto travelled to France to meet the national team’s doctors, who have sent him home.

Frankly, we’re delighted. We’re happy with any player who wants a break taking one, and Gusto has played a lot of high level minutes already.

Malo Gusto fights for the ball. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Gusto frustrating fans but pleasing his manager

Gusto is frustrating many Chelsea fans with his play this season – although Enzo Maresca insists he’s really happy with him. His ability to play on the left or right, as well as “inverted” as a sort of number 10 has been used to its full extent by the manager, who will happily leave out Marc Cucurella or Reece James but has so far shown unwavering loyalty to Gusto, despite some poor performances.

The Frenchman has started every league game apart from two against Bournemouth and West Ham back in September, and his versatility is clearly something Maresca loves. This little break will hopefully do the former Lyon man good – especially if he’s able to spend some time on the training pitch with the other defenders working on our dodgy offside trap.