Chelsea manager Pochettino praises Gusto after defeating Palace

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino admits to being won over by a young player.

The Argentine head coach spoke to the media after the Blues' 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Aside from celebrating that success, Pochettino took the time out to praise young right-back Malo Gusto.

He told reporters: "I think when we assess Malo Gusto, we brought Malo Gusto to try and compete with Reece James. He's really, really young, but now with the injury of Reece James, he needs to play and play a lot and compete every single game.

"We can see also some good things and things he needs to improve because he is so young and in the first season in the Premier League. But yes, we are so happy, he was injured also during the season. We play a lot of games with Axel Disasi and Alfie [Gilchrist], using them, but yes, it's his first season, he's played a lot and we are happy.

"He is going to improve. But of course the competition with Reece James was what we wanted to push them to perform and be sure that we have two great players in this position. When you are so busy in the Premier League, or the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, helping and competing in a good level."