'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea have voiced their frustrations with Mauricio Pochettino's decision not to start Malo Gusto in his side's Carabao Cup quarterfinal clash against Newcastle United tonight (December 19).
The Blues host Newcastle at Stamford Bridge, looking to advance to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup. Pochettino's side have somewhat of an easy ride thus far. They have beaten EFL League Two outfit AFC Wimbledon, a weakened Brighton & Hove Albion side, and EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
Chelsea face a Newcastle side that are wounded after being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League this past week. The Magpies made it to the final of last season's Carabao Cup before losing 2-0 to Manchester United.
Pochettino has made one change to the side that beat Sheffield United in the league on the weekend. Enzo Fernandez returns to the Blues' starting XI, replacing Mykhailo Mudryk.
Djordje Petrovic starts in goal, with Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill in defense. Fernandez joins Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher in midfield.
Cole Palmer starts in attack alongside Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling. Pochettino has named a strong side to try and get the better of a Newcastle side that beat them 4-1 in the league last month.
However, the Argentine coach's decision not to start Gusto has been met with backlash. The French defender has made 12 appearances across competitions this season, providing two assists.
Gusto will have hoped for more game time after Reece James suffered another hamstring injury. But, he settles for a place on the bench tonight at Stamford Bridge.
One fan took aim at Pochettino for not starting Gusto:
"Honestly Posh is a clown. You bench 2 full back Gusto and Maatsen and stand start all 4 center backs REALLY. This guy must be high on something. We are in for a ride tonight."
Another was disappointed with Chelsea's starting XI:
"No Maatsen in the 11 and no Gusto. Yeah I’m not liking this."
Here's how fans on x (formerly Twitter) reacted to the Blues' team to face Newcastle:
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino isn't taking the Carabao Cup lightly
Pochettino stressed the importance of the Carabao Cup before tonight's game against Newcastle. The Argentine downplayed suggestions that it's a Mickey Mouse competition (via transfer expert Fabrizio Romano):
"I don't know which people are saying Mickey Mouse Cup... we are not feeling this way. It is a really good opportunity to win. I saw for more than 10 years how clubs celebrate winning this cup. It is one of our objectives."
Chelsea last won the Carabao Cup back in the 2014-15 campaign. Their disappointing start to the season could be boosted by a run in the competition.
Pochettino's men are dangerously close to slipping out of the top-four race in the Premier League. They sit 10th, 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City after 17 games played.
