What Malo Gusto’s latest midfield showing tells us about Chelsea’s next few months | OneFootball

Chelsea are still just days after the transfer window closed, yet there are already big questions about their midfield options.

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Chelsea failed to sign a midfielder on deadline day this week, and that’s given Xabi Alonso some tricky decisions to make, especially while Moises Caicedo is out injured.

Today we saw the starting pair who we expect to see most weeks – Reece James and Romeo Lavia. They offer a lot, but neither is a complete midfielder. The problem comes later in the game. Given their respective injury history, neither can complete regular 90 minutes. That means bringing on fresh legs – and today that meant Malo Gusto.

Chelsea’s midfield struggle against league favourites

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 06: Morgan Rogers of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

We’ve seen Gusto a few times in midfield already this season. Alonso said that it would be a handy thing to have in “an emergency”, but the reality is that we’re seeing it most weeks, not just in emergencies. In a game where you desperately need control, bringing on an athletic (but erratic) right back to play in midfield is not a solution.

Things will look different when Moises Caicedo is back – but we just don’t know when that will be.

In other news…

Xabi Alonso admitted today that his team had let themselves with one moment today which ultimately cost his team dearly.