Malo Gusto shares Chelsea training ground update after crushing Reece James blow
Chelsea defender Malo Gusto has returned to training ahead of their Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday (December 1).
The 21-year-old missed Chelsea’s games against Leicester and FC Heidenheim due to illness but could be set to make his return against fellow top-four contenders Villa.
Gusto has been thrown in at the deep end since joining the club back in 2023, thanks in large part to captain Reece James’ ongoing injury issues.
This season, the Frenchman has started nine of Chelsea’s 12 Premier League games, yielding 729 minutes of league action.
James, 24, has been ruled out for the foreseeable future after picking up yet another hamstring injury, with Enzo Maresca admitting he “doesn’t know” when the right-back will return.
Speaking ahead of their 2-0 Europa Conference League win over FC Heidenheim, Maresca said: “Yes (he’s had a scan). The only thing we can say is that he is getting better day by day.
“We don’t know how many days he needs. He’s getting better.”
Malo Gusto ready to step up for Chelsea in Reece James’ absence
James has impressed in the few games he’s played, starting the three Premier League games that Gusto didn’t, earning 241 minutes across four appearances.
Clearly excited by the prospect of getting back out there, Gusto took to Instagram to let fans know he’s ready for the call.
Maresca has the West London club up and running, sitting top of the new Europa Conference League group phase and in the Champions League spots.
The game against Aston Villa could prove pivotal going into the hectic festive period, in which Chelsea have nine games in December alone.
In other news, Cole Palmer responds to Jadon Sancho message after Chelsea omission.
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