Malo Gusto enjoys 'flexible role' as Liam Rosenior shapes Chelsea's attack

The French right-back spoke after returning from illness and injury to play in Chelsea's recent 1-0 Champions League win over Pafos at Stamford Bridge.

Rosenior, appointed earlier this month after Enzo Maresca's departure, has given Gusto licence to vary his positioning on the pitch. Gusto explained: "He said to me to be a bit more free on the pitch, to change more my position during the game."

That tactical freedom saw Gusto staying high, drifting wide and even inverting into midfield during the Pafos match, mirroring some of the attacking patterns Chelsea used last season but with added flexibility this term. "I like to attack, of course, that's my type of game," he added, stressing that the system suits his style.

Reflecting on Rosenior's first weeks in charge, Gusto said: "It's a new era with new tactics and new things to improve … everyone here is happy to have him on the team."

Chelsea's latest victory, secured by a late Moises Caicedo goal, was Rosenior's first in the Champions League as boss and keeps the Blues well placed in their group.

While Gusto has started most of Chelsea's league games this season, he recently missed matches against Brentford and others due to illness before coming back for the Pafos tie, with Rosenior confirming the defender was back available ahead of that match.

Signed from Lyon in January 2023 and arriving fully for the 2023-24 season, Gusto has developed into a key attacking full-back who now looks set to thrive in Rosenior's evolving system.