“Today’s decision” – Mauricio Pochettino talk on whether Malo Gusto should have been sent off vs Fulham
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Mauricio Pochettino addressed the contentious moment involving Chelsea defender Malo Gusto in the hard-fought 1-0 victory against Fulham, shedding light on the incident during his post-match interview with football.london and other publications.
Gusto found himself in the referee’s notebook with a yellow card for a robust challenge, a decision that Pochettino firmly supported. When queried about the tackle on Willian and whether it merited a red card, the Chelsea manager was unequivocal, stating, “Yellow card because it was a yellow card. Remember against Aston Villa it was a red card, and I didn’t complain about that, and today was a yellow card.”
Pochettino’s mention of Gusto’s previous red card against Aston Villa earlier in the season underscores the need for the French right-back to exercise caution in his challenges. While the manager downplayed the severity of the latest incident, acknowledging the yellow card, it’s evident that Gusto must tread carefully to avoid putting Chelsea in precarious positions.
The potential consequences of a more severe punishment were not lost on Pochettino, emphasizing the importance of Gusto displaying greater control when contesting for the ball. With Reece James sidelined due to injury, Gusto assumes a pivotal role as the primary option for the right-back position. The limited alternatives, considering the injuries to Marc Cucurella and Axel Disasi’s positional constraints, accentuate the significance of Gusto’s role in maintaining defensive stability without compromising Chelsea’s attacking threat.
The narrow victory against Fulham served as a reminder of the fine margins in football, where a more severe outcome for Gusto’s challenge could have had ramifications beyond the immediate fixture. Pochettino’s emphasis on Gusto’s need for careful play underscores the importance of discipline as Chelsea navigates a challenging period with key defensive players on the sidelines
