Gusto lined up at right wing-back in our opening-day success away to Fulham, where it was quickly apparent how important those positions will be under Xabi Alonso.

If you look at our first goal, scored in rapid time, Gusto is tracking the run from deep of a Fulham attacker when we recover possession. For our second, he is much higher up the pitch and plays the pass to Palmer that instigates the attack, with Fulham’s left side out of position as Antonee Robinson is forced to track Gusto’s movement.

‘It’s a position that I used to play before at Lyon when I was young,’ Gusto tells us.

‘So I know it and I do enjoy it. You need to bring a lot of energy – make a lot of runs forward and be there to defend as well.

‘You have to try to perform to your best on both sides of the games and it’s a good system for sure, but of course as a team we have to be prepared for anything.’

Gusto says he has enjoyed his time working with Alonso and there is great respect within the group for his achievements as a player and a manager. He has noted the ‘clear plan’ Alonso has in mind for his Blues team.

On a personal level, Gusto benefitted from the break following the World Cup, where he helped France to a fourth-placed finish. Now, with three points already in the bank and with home games against Luton and Brighton ahead, Gusto is excited about the prospect of being involved in a special campaign at the Bridge.

‘It was good for the body to rest and I’m feeling really good now. I couldn’t wait to come back to Chelsea and just focus on our new objectives.

‘As a Chelsea player, of course we want to compete for the title and come back to the Champions League next season.

‘We have a lot of objectives and to achieve them we need to create a good dynamic as a team and see how it goes.’