Chelsea fans have reason to smile ahead of their Carabao Cup clash against Barrow, as head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that right-back Malo Gusto has recovered from his injury and is ready to return to action.
After missing the last two Premier League matches, Gusto’s return is a timely boost for the Blues.
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Gusto ready, Lavia still waiting
Malo Gusto, who has been sidelined since picking up a muscle injury in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, is now fully fit and could be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's third-round match. Gusto, 21, made a strong impression last season filling in for Reece James, and his availability will certainly ease some pressure on the squad.
But while Gusto is back, Chelsea fans will have to wait a little longer to see Romeo Lavia in action.
The Belgian midfielder, still recovering from a hamstring injury, is not ready for the Barrow game, but Maresca is hopeful he could return in time for their Premier League match against Brighton this weekend. "Romeo is not available. Hopefully, he can be available for the Brighton game," Maresca told reporters.
🚨🔵 Enzo Maresca: “Malo Gusto has recovered and he is available for tomorrow”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 23, 2024
“Romeo Lavia is not ready yet. Hopefully he can be available for Brighton”. pic.twitter.com/uqydnwcxCV
Chance for Chelsea's fringe players
The Carabao Cup tie against Barrow is also an opportunity for some of Chelsea’s lesser-used players to make their mark.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has struggled to find regular playing time since his £30 million move from Leicester, could get the nod to start. “Probably,” Maresca said when asked if Dewsbury-Hall would be in the lineup. “We have a session this afternoon, and I like to tell the players before.”
Maresca added that the midfielder needs time to adjust to his new role, saying, "He was the main player at Leicester, and he is not now. Mentally, you need to adapt."
While the Barrow match might not be Chelsea’s biggest test, it’s still a chance for players like Dewsbury-Hall to show what they’ve got. Chelsea fans will be hoping Gusto’s return brings some much-needed stability, and who knows, maybe the Blues will coast past Barrow with ease.
