Liverpool to force Chelsea into new midfielder plan
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is keen to regularly deploy Malo Gusto in an unfamiliar midfield role after Liverpool failed to sign him, sources have told Football Insider.
Liverpool made a surprise late offer to sign Gusto on loan just hours before the summer window slammed shut.
Chelsea stood firm on their lofty £75million valuation of his services as the Reds' interest quickly fizzled out.
Gusto is seen as a valued member of Xabi Alonso's squad, having started each of their first three games of the campaign across league and cup.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Alonso sees Gusto as a viable option in midfield after the club failed to replace Enzo Fernandez so late in the summer.
They were set to sign Monaco's Lamine Camara to offset the loss of the Argentine star before the deal broke down at the eleventh hour on Deadline Day.
Malo Gusto to play midfield more regularly under Xabi Alonso
Gusto is a right-back by trade, but started in the middle of the park next to Romeo Lavia as Chelsea beat Brighton 4-3 last weekend.
The 23-year-old also started in the middle on the odd occasion under Enzo Maresca last season, with the Blues' lack of midfield depth set to see him handed more opportunities there going forward.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Chelsea were happy to keep Malo Gusto, and look, he is probably going to be needed now, because they didn't bring in a midfielder following Enzo Fernandez's big money move to Manchester City and Gusto found himself playing in midfield against Brighton last weekend when there was other midfield options available to Xabi Alonso.
"I think he's going to play a key role for Alonso's side, whether that be at right wing-back, or even possibly filling in in midfield if Chelsea are short in that area."
Liverpool unlikely to revisit Gusto deal after hefty valuation
Alonso has carefully moulded his squad from the plethora of players that he initially had to choose from when he arrived at Chelsea for the start of pre-season.
The club have no plans to sell any more key men, with sources revealing to Football Insider that Liverpool are unlikely to move for Gusto again in January as Chelsea continue to demand around £75m.
Andoni Iraola will have to explore alternative options at right-back, with the Reds keen to bolster the position as Jeremie Frimpong struggles to impress.