{"id":4066,"date":"2026-09-10T14:09:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T14:09:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4066"},"modified":"2026-09-10T14:09:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T14:09:08","slug":"three-malo-gusto-stats-which-prove-xabi-alonso-has-to-end-the-midfield-experiment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4066","title":{"rendered":"Three Malo Gusto stats which prove Xabi Alonso has to end the midfield experiment"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Xabi Alonso started Malo Gusto again in midfield for Chelsea against Leeds United in the EFL Cup, however he struggled again in a position he is clearly not comfortable with.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alonso<\/a> looked to rest Romeo Lavia, handing a start to 16-year-old Reggie Watson, who became the fourth youngest player to start a first team game<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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The youngster was one of those taken off at half-time, as well as Gusto<\/a>, with the Blues midfield being overrun by Leeds in the first half.<\/p>\n

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What a game! Where do you rank this new Chelsea attack as Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers shine again?<\/h3>\n

Leeds couldn’t handle them \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Malo Gusto midfield experiment has to come to an end<\/h2>\n

The Frenchman started in the position against Brighton, and came off the bench to partner Reece James in the middle of the park against Arsenal at the weekend.<\/p>\n

Gusto\u2019s 45 minutes against Leeds will be ones he is looking to forget quickly. No player misplaced more passes than him during his time on the pitch.<\/p>\n

As well as that, the converted-midfielder failed to complete a long pass, with Chelsea\u2019s outlets Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens struggling to be released.<\/p>\n

Gusto also failed to make a tackle in the first half, while 16-year-old Watson made two alongside him.<\/p>\n

It is clear that the player\u2019s strengths do not lend themselves to playing in the middle of the park. At least James has a number of skills which make him a decent option in there.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s time for Xabi Alonso to give Valentin Barco a proper chance<\/h2>\n

The Blues are waiting for Moises Caicedo to be fit again<\/a>, after he aggravated a previous injury when coming off the bench against Brighton.<\/p>\n

Alonso is keen to not push the Ecuador international back too quickly<\/a>, meaning he may not return until after the September international break.<\/p>\n

This would see him need to find a solution for the next two games against Hull City and Brentford, however last night\u2019s game should have showed him where to look.<\/p>\n

Valentin Barco scored, picked up an assist and dominated duels<\/a> in the heart of midfield, although is yet to be handed a Premier League start.<\/p>\n

This run should come to an end on Saturday, with Gusto either returning to his wing-back role or starting the game on the bench.<\/p>\n

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