"A little bit like" – John Obi Mikel names Chelsea ace he claims is similar to one club legend
01/02/2025 05:00 AM
John Obi Mikel was left baffled by Enzo Maresca's decision to drop Malo Gusto against Ipswich and likened the Frenchman to a club legend.
The Blues slipped to their second consecutive defeat on Monday night as they slumped to a 2-0 loss against Ipswich at Portman Road.
The result means Chelsea are now winless in their last three games, taking just one point and scoring just once, although they are still three points clear of Newcastle in fifth.
Mikel likens Gusto to Azpilicueta
Maresca made five changes to the team that lost to Fulham, with Gusto replaced at right back by Disasi, despite Josh Acheampong a natural right back being available.
Disasi went on to have a torrid evening before eventually being replaced with a little under 15 minutes remaining, with Mikel questioning why Maresca started him in that position.
Gusto has had an up and down season and admittedly wasn't at his best against Fulham, but the majority of Chelsea fans would rather seen an out form Gusto at right back than Disasi.
The fans weren't the only ones baffled by the decision, with Mikel also not understanding Maresca's choice, whilst he compared Gusto to a club legend.
"I like Malo Gusto. For me, he's Mr Consistency, a little bit like [Cesar] Azpilicueta, isn't he?," he told his Obi One Podcast.
"But I have no idea why the manager sometimes drops him and plays Disasi there."
Gusto has been one of Chelsea's most important signings under the new ownership given the well documented injury issues with Reece James.
It's easy to forget the Frenchman is still just 21 so there are going to be deficiencies in his game, whilst there will also be dips in form like with any player.
James is now fit and back in the squad, but he's unlikely to start against Crystal Palace on Saturday and it would be somewhat of a surprise if it was anyone other than Gusto starting at right back at Selhurst Park.
