Chelsea Boss Told to Drop £75m Star Against Tottenham After Back-to-Back Premier League Wins

According to a report by The Chelsea Chronicle on October 20, 2026, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has been urged not to make one particular change to his starting lineup following his team’s impressive back-to-back victories over Bournemouth and Everton in the Premier League.

The Blues have enjoyed an improvement in form since returning from the international break, recording a convincing 5-1 victory over Bournemouth before beating Everton 2-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

These results have provided a timely boost for Alonso, whose team had previously suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brentford. Chelsea’s recent performances have also raised questions about which players deserve to retain their places in the starting lineup ahead of their upcoming London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

According to the report, Alonso would be making a mistake if he brought Malo Gusto back into the starting XI for the encounter against Tottenham.

Why Gusto should not return to Chelsea’s starting XI

Gusto missed Chelsea’s trip to Everton because of illness, while he played only two minutes during the 5-1 victory over Bournemouth after coming on as a late substitute.

Interestingly, Chelsea produced two of their most convincing performances of the season without the Frenchman playing a significant role in either match.

The report suggests that this development is not a coincidence, particularly given the difficulties Gusto has experienced adapting to Alonso’s tactical system.

The 23-year-old has struggled when deployed in midfield and has also faced challenges defensively when operating as a right wing-back. His performances in those positions have raised doubts about whether he is currently suited to the responsibilities Alonso expects him to fulfil.

However, Gusto’s recent difficulties do not necessarily mean he lacks the quality to succeed at Chelsea. His strongest performances came during the 2023/24 campaign under former manager Mauricio Pochettino, when he played as a more traditional full-back.

In that role, the Frenchman demonstrated his attacking ability and defensive strength in one-on-one situations.

Alonso faces a decision ahead of Tottenham clash

Chelsea’s recent victories have strengthened the argument for maintaining the current balance of the team rather than making unnecessary changes.

Moises Caicedo and Jordan Henderson have formed an effective partnership in midfield, helping the Blues improve their performances in the middle of the pitch.

With Tottenham awaiting them this weekend, Alonso must decide whether to preserve the combination that has delivered positive results or adjust his lineup to accommodate returning players.

The report argues that Gusto should not be selected in midfield again, particularly for such an important fixture.

Although the defender could still have a future role in Alonso’s plans, restoring him to his natural full-back position may be a better option than continuing to experiment with him in midfield.

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