Journalist Nizaar Kinsella has claimed that Chelsea defender Malo Gusto was sporting some heavy strapping during tonight’s EFL Cup victory against Blackburn Rovers.

He took to Twitter to state that the 20-year-old had his knee heavily bandaged despite coming on in the second half as a substitute.

Chelsea hardly made light work of their lower league opposition in the Round of 16 tonight, however did book their place in the next round of the competition.

With Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United all being out of the competition already, there is a real chance Mauricio Pochettino’s side can believe they have a good chance at progressing into the very deep stages.

The main story on the pitch for the Blues was those returning from injury. Benoit Badiashile scored on his first start of the season.

Reece James was also back in the starting side, making his first start since the opening game of the season against Liverpool.

Gusto bandaged knee

He managed an hour of football, where it looks as if he got through it without any aggravation of a prior injury.

He was replaced in the second half by Malo Gusto, who Kinsella claimed came on to the pitch with heavy bandaging surrounding his right knee.

He said: “Gusto has a heavily bandaged right knee. Wonder if Poch has been holding him back a bit.”

This could explain why Pochettino made the decision to start Axel Disasi in his position last weekend against Brentford, despite having the Frenchman on the bench.

The natural centre-back looked like he struggled with the attacking demands of playing at right-back, and looked far more comfortable back in the middle tonight alongside Badiashile.