Malo Gusto on his difficult season and excitement at Estevao arrival
The Frenchman joined Chelsea from French side Lyon in January 2023 before joining up with the squad that summer, and he enjoyed a brilliant first season for the club under Mauricio Pochettino.
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Last campaign however was not so smooth for the full-back, who was asked to try something different under Maresca. He has regularly been asked to invert into midfield, where he does not look fully comfortable, but says he just wants to help the team.
'It's important to do different things on the pitch, the coach asked me to do that and I tried to help the team as much as I can and I'm so happy to win through these games. The chance in football that you have is that we have a lot of games and even when one game is bad, the next can be good and the most important is to deal with that.
'You have to stay focused, stay strong in your mind and try to get better game by game. That's what I always try to do.'
Gusto also said that mental strength has been a key focus for the entire squad during this competition, and that it's a huge reason as to why they are in the semi-final: 'During this competition, our mental strength has been the most important thing. That's what we are in thes semi final because we've shown that on the pitch during all the games that we have had.
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'Now it is not enough, we still have a semi final to play, we have a chance of the trophy and that's what we must try to do.'
Chelsea faced Palmeiras in the last round and it was a great chance for the squad to see a future team-mate live in action, in Estevao. And Gusto said was very impressed by the Brazilian.
'He's a good player, he will come to Chelsea soon and now we are happy to beat him because that was our objective but he's a good player and we have a lot more in our squad now.
'As I said, we have a lot of players but if he comes to Chelsea then it's because he's good as well and will be part of this team.'
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New York Times
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Goals from Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez saw Mexico prevent Mauricio Pochettino from winning his first title with the U.S. Imagn Images Mexico have beaten the USMNT 2-1 in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Chris Richards headed the U.S. into an early lead in the fourth minute, but Raul Jimenez equalised for Mexico less than half an hour later, smashing the ball home from close range. The score remained level until the 77th minute, when Edson Alvarez scored the go-ahead goal with a header. The goal was originally ruled offside but the call was overturned by VAR. Mexico have won two straight Gold Cup titles and are now 6-2 when facing the USMNT in the final of the competition. Getty Images Starting lineup: Freese, Arfsten, Ream, Richards, Freeman, De la Torre, Adams, Luna, Tillman, Berhalter, Agyemang Subs: Downs, B. Aaronson, McKenzie, White, Turner, Sullivan, Brady, Tolkin, Zimmerman, Harriel, Robinson, McGlynn Imagn Images Team news will be on its way very shortly… Getty Images 1993: Mexico 4-0 United States (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City) 4-0 United States (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City) 1998: Mexico 1-0 United States (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles) 1-0 United States (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles) 2007: United States 2-1 Mexico (Soldier Field, Chicago) 2-1 Mexico (Soldier Field, Chicago) 2009: Mexico 5-0 United States (Giants Stadium, East Rutherford) 5-0 United States (Giants Stadium, East Rutherford) 2011: Mexico 4-2 United States (Rose Bowl, Pasadena) 4-2 United States (Rose Bowl, Pasadena) 2019: Mexico 1-0 United States (Soldier Field, Chicago) 1-0 United States (Soldier Field, Chicago) 2021: United States 1-0 Mexico [aet] (Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada) Getty Images While Javier Aguirre's Mexico and Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT both endured nervous moments during the competition, there is little doubt that, overall, they have been the two strongest teams, and that today's final in Houston will certainly be played between the two-highest profile programs in the Concacaf region. The USMNT and Mexico did not meet in the Concacaf Nations League earlier this year thanks to the U.S.'s demoralizing semifinal defeat to Panama, which was followed by another loss to Canada in the third-place game. Mexico won the tournament with a fair degree of comfort. During that tournament, Raul Jiménez was the undisputed star, scoring twice against Canada in the semifinals and again vs. Panama in the final. The Athletic We want to hear from you, too. Get involved today by emailing live@ Getty Images Kevin C: ' do we get this gritty play to be reflected in the group of players who have shown no grit at all and are no-shows at this tournament? Is it a switch that can just be turned on? I doubt it but I'm listening. Is it enough to bring Luna into future camps/friendlies and have him outwork and embarrass everyone who isn't giving that kind of effort? Maybe? Can one guy do that? I think we need to pray that it can because unless everyone on the previous A team is afraid for their job...I don't see it. And I hope I'm proven wrong.' Craig B: 'So far the Gold Cup has been a bit of sound and fury, signifying not much. A couple of players have helped their chances of making the World Cup roster, but anyone who thinks that putting in a good shift against the likes of Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala means a lot is delusional. Now we have a game that actually means something against a team of decent quality and real motivation. If this group can win or even lose in a good battle, then those who stand out have really done something. If they don't, then this tournament will have been a fun diversion with little to take away from it.' Getty Images S: '5 wins in a row is 5 wins. Add to that some stellar play by Tilman, Luna, and Richards — along with the return to form of Adams — and everyone should be optimistic and excited for the final. I'll add that Freeman has shown a lot of quality along with his inexperience. For sure the added depth that has been 'discovered' at the Gold Cup bodes well for the USA going forward. 'I'm a little surprised at the continuing negativity in reports from places like ESPN. The question going forward for Pochettino is now how will he integrate and utilize all the talent going forward. Things are certainly looking up.' Brian G: 'There is still a lot to work to do with this group. Noticeably the starting midfield just doesn't seem to be on the same page very often. And then the huge drop off when we need the subs to help out. 'Thankfully, though, this isn't the starting group for next summer. And more, it shows that we have a good support for that group. It also puts pressure on positions that a few of our 'stars' might take for granted. So, overall, I'm happy with how this whole Gold Cup has worked out. A win will be the cherry on top.' Getty Images After an early exit from the Copa América and two losses in the Nations League in March, a win over Mexico in a final would go a long way toward convincing more fans ahead of the World Cup. 'None of it's going to happen unless we continue to win,' Tim Ream said earlier this week. 'And, for us, what's the hallmark of a U.S. team? Fighting. 'Togetherness. And that's what we're finding and doing in this tournament. It's not always going to be perfect. It's not always going to be pretty. But doing that kind of fosters that connection with the fans, with the diehards, with the casuals, with everybody. And as long as we continue to do that, then that culture grows, the feelings grow and the connections grow.' GO FURTHER Tim Ream: 'Shame' on USMNT critics as Luna goals set up Mexico final The Gold Cup was meant to be the month when Mauricio Pochettino and his staff finally got some time with the group that they would lead into next year's home World Cup. But the FIFA Club World Cup, injuries and Christian Pulisic's decision to request the summer off meant the U.S. went into the tournament without many of its regulars. That shifted expectations, at least on the outside. Internally, the group still believed the goal was singular: to win a trophy. Tonight in Houston, a group of players who have used this summer to try to force their way into the World Cup picture will get that chance against rivals Mexico. After two ugly friendly losses to start the summer, the U.S. can end it with a continental title. To do so, they'll have to beat the best team they will have seen being beaten by Turkey and Switzerland. GO FURTHER Lifting Gold Cup against Mexico can give Pochettino's USMNT the belief he craves Getty Images Mexico leads all nations with nine Gold Cup titles. The U.S. is next with seven. Together, they've won 16 of the tournament's 17 editions, with only Canada breaking through in 2000. The stakes go beyond hardware, though. The neighboring rivals are looking ahead to the World Cup in 2026, when both countries, along with Canada, will serve as the host. This tournament has doubled as a measuring stick, and on Sunday, it becomes a litmus test. Mexico enters as a slight favorite on BetMGM with -135 odds to lift the trophy with the Americans at even money. Getty Images Group stage USMNT 5-0 Trinidad & Tobago Saudi Arabia 0-1 USMNT USMNT 2-1 Haiti Quarter-finals USMNT 2-2 Costa Rica (USMNT win 4-3 on penalties) Semi-finals Getty Images Group stage Mexico 3-2 Dominican Republic Suriname 0-2 Mexico Mexico 0-0 Costa Rica Quarter-finals Semi-finals Getty Images This will be the eighth showdown in the tournament final between the two sides. Mexico holds a 5-2 edge, but the U.S. won the most recent meeting in 2021 on an extra-time header from Miles Robinson — the match's lone goal — that secured the team's seventh trophy. Each team arrives with momentum. El Tri advanced with a 1-0 win over Honduras in the semifinals, a match defined by Raúl Jiménez's poise in the box and a back line that bent but didn't break. Meanwhile, the U.S. earned its spot behind a breakout performance from 21-year-old Diego Luna, who scored twice in the first 15 minutes of play and helped secure a 2-1 win over Guatemala. With three goals in two games, Luna continues to be the story of the American summer. The Athletic We'd love to hear from you ahead of today's final. Who's going to win? Have the USMNT exceeded your expectations at this summer's tournament? And does their performance suggest they could upset a European side or two at next year's World Cup? Let us know by emailing live@ Getty Images The game will air live on Fox and TUDN. Getty Images Today's Gold Cup final will commence at 7pm EDT (4pm PDT). That's midnight for the sickos in the United Kingdom staying up to watch. 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