“Not good” – Season sounds over for one Chelsea player; but another ready to step up | OneFootball

It was a tale of two right backs today at Craven Cottage, and while it was good news for one, it was bad news for the other.

Reece James started the game, which was a surprise to everyone as he had also started on Thursday in the Conference League against Legia Warsaw. He played 45 minutes today, and after full time Enzo Maresca answered questions in his press conference about to what extent this was a planned move:

“[It was planned because] he played 90 minutes two days ago and played 45 today,” the coach explained.

“It’s an important moment because we can start playing him every three days. The reason why we changed him was because he played 90 minutes a few days ago.”

As he says, this is indeed an important moment. James hasn’t started twice in a week under Maresca yet, and the fact he’s considered ready to do a game and a half now is an important step. It will come in handy soon it seems, thanks to the bad news.

Malo Gusto update is not a good one

Malo Gusto with an Enzo Maresca inlay. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Malo Gusto was the planned change for James, coming on at half time. But he didn’t make it through the 45 minutes he got – he went off clutching his hamstring. Asked for an update on his status, Maresca wasn’t positive:

“Not a good one. A muscular problem. Unfortunately it looks like a muscular injury,” the manager explained.

With just a few weeks of the season left, even a minor hamstring issue will end Gusto’s campaign.

We would like to think this means more opportunities for Josh Acheampong, who Maresca said he “loves” after a recent performance. But knowing the Italian coach’s tendencies, this likely just means more Trevoh Chalobah at right back with Tosin coming into the middle to partner Levi Colwill.