Malo Gusto: Chelsea’s Promising Right-Back

Malo Gusto, the young French right-back, arrived at Chelsea in January 2023 with high expectations. Signed from Lyon for a reported £26.3 million, he was immediately loaned back to the French club for the remainder of the season. This allowed him to continue his development and gain valuable playing time before officially joining the Blues in the summer.

Gusto is known for his attacking prowess and defensive tenacity. He possesses excellent pace and stamina, allowing him to bomb forward down the right flank to support the attack while also tracking back effectively to fulfill his defensive duties. His crossing ability is a key asset, delivering accurate balls into the box for teammates to attack. He’s comfortable taking on defenders and creating opportunities for his side. He is technically gifted and displays impressive dribbling skills, which helps him beat his man in one-on-one situations.

Defensively, Gusto is a committed and aggressive player. He’s strong in the tackle and isn’t afraid to get stuck in. He reads the game well, anticipating danger and making crucial interceptions. However, like many young defenders, he is still developing his positional awareness and decision-making, sometimes getting caught out of position or making rash challenges.

Upon joining Chelsea, he found himself initially playing second fiddle to Reece James, a mainstay in the right-back position. This meant his opportunities were limited to substitute appearances and occasional starts when James was unavailable. However, James’s recurring injury problems have provided Gusto with significant playing time, enabling him to showcase his talents and integrate into the Chelsea squad.

Gusto has shown flashes of brilliance during his time at Stamford Bridge. He has impressed with his energy, work rate, and willingness to contribute both offensively and defensively. While he still has room to improve, particularly in his consistency and decision-making, he has demonstrated the potential to become a valuable asset for Chelsea in the long term.

His emergence as a reliable option at right-back has provided Chelsea with much-needed depth and competition in that position. He’s proving to be a capable understudy to James, and his performances suggest he can challenge for a regular starting place as he continues to mature and develop. He embodies the profile of a modern full-back and fits well into Chelsea’s attacking style of play. He represents a significant investment for the future and a player Chelsea fans can be excited about.