Chelsea: Malo Gusto sends message to Enzo Maresca over right-back battle with Reece James | OneFootball

Malo Gusto says he has a “great relationship” with Reece James and the pair can thrive in the same Chelsea team.

Malo Gusto says he has a “great relationship” with Reece James and the pair can thrive in the same Chelsea team.

James has returned to the fold at Chelsea after missing the start of the season through injury and suspension.

The Blues captain, however, has found himself playing left-back at times as Gusto has kept his spot on the other flank.

Gusto, who joined Chelsea from Lyon last year for around £30million, has impressed at right-back and he believes there is space for him and James in the same team.

“I just try to give my best every day, the manager knows that,” said Gusto. “Reece and I have a great relationship between us.

“As you saw the last few games we played both, like him and me, it is not like only me or only him. There can be both.

“We just try to push ourselves. That is what I try to do and we do our best and we try to help the team as much as we can.

Malo Gusto has kept his place at right-back

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

“My job is just to do my best on the pitch. After the people can say it is not my business. I just try to do my best and play with Reece or without Reece.

Chelsea have made a solid start to the season and are currently sat third in the Premier League.

They are also top of the Europa Conference League and Gusto believes their big squad is a positive, despite many viewing it as a negative back in the summer.

“The people don’t understand that,” he said. “It is very important to have a lot of players with qualities.

“As I said we play Conference League as well and a few cups. It’s good to have a lot of players to make changes because otherwise we will die. It is good for the group and we just try to stay all together to create something between us as a group and to win everything.

“We are in third place, so it’s good, we just have to keep it and create something between us as a group and to do our best on the pitch and to be where we have to be.”