Alan Shearer has singled out Chelsea star Malo Gusto for praise after his impressive performance in Saturday’s Premier League win over Everton.
Gusto provided an assist for Cole Palmer in the primary half after which got on the scoresheet himself after the break because the Blues won the sport 2-0.
The 22-year-old France international was deployed as an inverted full-back against the Toffees and shined to assist Chelsea move up into the highest 4.
Premier League legend Shearer, working as a football pundit for the BBC, declared that Gusto was the ‘stand-out Chelsea player’ from the match.
‘A cushty win for Chelsea,’ Shearer said. ‘Everton had a few opportunities but never looked like getting back into the sport once it was 2-0.
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‘Malo Gusto was the stand-out Chelsea player for me, not only when it comes to the plain with the goal and assist.
‘Also the questions he posed for Everton… linking up with Palmer and [Pedro] Neto down the proper and moving into midfield alongside [Reece] James to create the additional man when needed.’
Enzo Maresca ‘very comfortable’ for Malo Gusto
Quizzed about using Gusto and James as inverted full-backs against Everton, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca told the BBC: ‘Never with two, huh?
‘They’re good players and after they are good players they will play in every position. They’ll play full-back and midfielder.
‘[Malo Gusto] took the possibility and his assist for Cole, so I’m very comfortable for Malo.’
Meanwhile, in his post-match press conference, Maresca hailed Palmer and declared that he was the ‘best player’ in the present Chelsea squad.
‘With Cole, we’re a greater team,’ Maresca said.
‘I actually praise the players and the squad because we’ve played 16 Premier League games, five of them without Moises Caicedo, 11 of them without Palmer, just about all of them without Liam Delap.
‘This squad has been doing incredible. We have now played almost the entire season without our greatest player.
‘I’m so comfortable for the players. People on the surface can appreciate that.’
Chelsea are back in motion on Tuesday against Cardiff City within the Carabao Cup quarter-finals – but Palmer is about for a rest after his recent injury return.
Asked if Palmer was prone to play against the League One leaders, Maresca added: ‘Probably not.’
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