According to reports Chelsea has possible “world-class” talent, who is being compared to the French star Kylian Mbappe
Chelsea reached an agreement with Lyon to bring in young defender Malo Gusto at the end of the current season, and football.london delves deep to understand what kind of player the French prospect is.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!It was a challenging and at times, an exhausting experience for Chelsea as they negotiated with a steadfast Lyon for the transfer of young talent, Malo Gusto. Despite the obstacles, Chelsea was determined to get the deal done, and on January 27, they finally succeeded in acquiring the 19-year-old right-back. Some fans were losing hope, as Lyon was firm in their stance not to sell Gusto, but the new-look recruitment team of Chelsea persevered and got the job done.
However, they had to make some compromises, as Lyon insisted on keeping Gusto until the end of the season. Chelsea, on the other hand, wanted the young prodigy to join immediately to provide backup for the injury-ridden Reece James.
However, a compromise was reached when a €30 million ($35.6 million) deal was agreed, with Gusto remaining in Lyon for the rest of the current campaign. Chelsea’s patience paid off, as they preferred to wait for the arrival of Gusto rather than signing another right-back in the meantime. The level of regard the Blues hold Gusto in is evident.
Nicholas Mamo, a devout Lyon fan and an expert on the club, commented on Gusto’s departure and what he brings to Chelsea. Mamo highlighted the player’s speed, likening him to Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy, but also acknowledged there’s room for growth in Gusto’s game.
“According to Mamo, Gusto is known for his lightning-fast speed and impressive offensive skills, which have earned him comparisons to Kylian Mbappe. Mamo said, “Gusto was originally a midfielder and it shows in his offensive play and means crossing ability. He reminds me of Ferland Mendy when he was at Lyon.”
However, Mamo acknowledged that Gusto needs to work on his decision-making and positioning, which can be problematic at times. “Lyon has had a long-standing issue with their defense, so it’s possible that the coaching may be to blame,” said Mamo. “Regardless, Gusto will need to improve in these areas to make an impact at Chelsea, or he may be used as a right wing-back with center-backs covering for him.”
Gusto is set to join Chelsea in the summer and provide backup for James, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to compete with one of the best right-backs in the world. Mamo says that patience is key, and Gusto is no stranger to this, having experienced it while at Lyon.
“Gusto showed patience at Lyon, even when Leo Dubois was still a teammate,” Mamo, a Lyon expert, said. “Maybe his patience was excessive. We fans at Lyon did not appreciate Dubois, who was a decent crosser but average in other aspects, but that was when he was 18.
“It’s unfortunate that Gusto is leaving after only a year as a regular starter. He needs playing time, but it’s uncertain how he will handle the competition with James, who is one of the best right-backs in the world. Coach Potter will have to find the right balance.
“There is a genuine belief at Chelsea that Gusto has the potential to become a world-class player, which is also echoed by Mamo. He pointed out that much of Gusto’s future success will depend on how he is utilized at Chelsea.
“Will Gusto get the opportunity to play and gain experience? How will Potter utilize him? Can he improve on his defensive weaknesses? The one advantage he has is that full-backs of his type are hard to come by,” Mamo said.
Chelsea has spent the past few years searching for the perfect right-back, and Gusto seems to fit the bill. This is a thrilling move for the club.