---
title: "Malo Gusto’s World Cup run hands new Chelsea signing Marco Palestra a massive pre-season chance"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2026/07/10/malo-gustos-world-cup-run-hands-new-chelsea-signing-marco-palestra-a-massive-pre-season-chance/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2026-07-10T08:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-07-10T08:00:00Z"
---

# Malo Gusto’s World Cup run hands new Chelsea signing Marco Palestra a massive pre-season chance

**Malo Gusto’s World Cup run will continue after France beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the semi-finals.**

The Chelsea right-back is now guaranteed to stay with France deep into the final week of the tournament.

[The Guardian’s live report](https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jul/09/france-v-morocco-world-cup-2026-quarter-final-live) confirmed France’s quarter-final win, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scoring in the second half.

France will now face either Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals on 14 July. That means Gusto’s return to Chelsea pre-season will be delayed again.

For Gusto, it is another strong marker in his rise with France. For Xabi Alonso, it creates a small but useful opening at Cobham.

> Malo’s France defeat Morocco to progress to the semi-finals. 🙌🇫🇷 [pic.twitter.com/cJ9KZ9vjGC](https://t.co/cJ9KZ9vjGC)
>
> — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) [July 9, 2026](https://x.com/ChelseaFC/status/2075341070464884805?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Palestra Could Benefit From Gusto Delay

[Gusto’s extended World Cup run means Chelsea will have to manage his return carefully](https://readchelsea.com/2026/06/27/malo-gusto-france-chelsea-world-cup-boost/). He will need a break after the tournament before joining full pre-season work.

That could give Marco Palestra important minutes in the early part of Chelsea’s summer schedule. The Italian full-back has arrived with a big reputation and now has a chance to impress Alonso before Gusto returns.

Chelsea already have strong depth on the right side, but pre-season often rewards availability. Palestra can use that window to learn the system, build rhythm and show he can handle senior-level demands.

Gusto remains one of Chelsea’s key right-sided defenders. His France progress only underlines his status.

The timing, though, gives Palestra a real opportunity. If he starts well at Cobham, Chelsea may return from pre-season with more competition at right-back than expected.