- The Blues will find out who their Conference League play-off opponents are on Monday
- It will be Chelsea’s first time playing in the new third-tier competition.
- Gusto was a rare bright spark in the Blues’ eventful 2023-24 campaign
Chelsea are set to find out who they will face in the Conference League play-offs and Malo Gusto say they have to embrace Europe in any form and lift a trophy this season.
The draw for the two-legged tie will be made on Monday and Gusto is not making light of the fact that the club is in UEFA’s third competition, insisting it is an opportunity in disguise.
“It’s better than nothing, but we have to take it step by step,” he said. “We are young. The Conference League can be good for us to see how the European Cup is going. We have a good group with a lot of players and more games this season. It will be good to build something and get Chelsea where we need to be.”
“We have to win something this season, it’s very important. That’s the objective. The Conference League, even the Premier League, or the cups. It’s important to win trophies. Being better is important for the group.”
Gusto is also excited that Enzo Maresca’s tactical vision for full-backs is taking him back to the position he once played in his youth: midfielder.
Malo Gusto has insisted that Chelsea will take the Conference League seriously this season
The defender has been impressed by the tactical approach of new coach Enzo Maresca.
Gusto has been investing during Chelsea’s pre-season tour, both on the right and left. Some supporters were wondering how the 21-year-old and Reece James would fit into Maresca’s team, but they were used on opposite flanks in the 3-0 friendly win over Club America.
“I started as a midfielder when I first started playing football,” Gusto said. “For me, it’s not something new, but it was a long time ago. I have to keep learning about this position.
“In modern football you don’t have to play in just one position. It’s important. I try to do my best as a midfielder and as a full-back. For me it’s the same, I just have to show my best on the pitch and that’s it. In any position, left-back or right-back, I try to do my best wherever I can play.”
Gusto has been one of the best signings under the new ownership, costing £30.7m from Lyon.
Soccer in the Streets coordinates sport-based youth development programs in low-income communities in Atlanta, Georgia, and worked with Chelsea to implement the programs in the days leading up to their friendly with Club América.