Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca broke down in tears as another Key Chelsea player Who was the main man Against Crystal bagoes is injured during international break

Chelsea star Malo Gusto has withdrawn from international duty with France’s Under-21 side due to a thigh injury sustained in the draw against Crystal Palace.

Gusto began at right-back in Chelsea’s first Premier League games of the season in place of Reece James, but was forced to leave in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 tie at Stamford Bridge.

The Frenchman pulled up gripping the back of his leg and was substituted with 15 minutes left in the game.

Gusto had been named to France’s Under-21 team for European Championship qualifiers against Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, and he joined the squad on Monday.

Gusto, however, is one of three players ruled out of those games, along with Lens midfielder Andy Diouf and Burnley defender Maxime Estève.

The French Football Federation revealed that Gusto has a thigh ailment.

Chelsea return to action away to Bournemouth on September 14th, and they will be hoping Gusto is fit for the trip.

We shall see what occurs. It appears like a muscular condition, and we will see. Enzo Maresca spoke after the drew with Palace.

Gusto has been first-choice right back in James’ absence, as he is serving a three-match ban from the end of last season.

The Blues’ captain has also been struggling with a hamstring issue, which has kept him out of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League playoff games against Servette.

In a news conference last week, Maresca expressed ‘hope’ that James will be ready again after the international break.

Enzo Fernandez was another injured player in Sunday’s tie, and the club’s medical personnel assisted him off the pitch.

Chelsea has four points from their first three games of the season, having been defeated on the opening day before a 6-2 demolition of Wolves.