Malo Gusto profiled as Chelsea eye Reece James backup option in January

JOSH HOLLAND FROM FOOTBALL LONDON

Chelsea are eyeing a move for Lyon right-back Malo Gusto before the end of the January transfer window, football.london understands. The Blues are keen to add a new face to Graham Potter’s wing-back options amid Reece James’ ongoing injury concerns.

James has been out of action since December’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth after aggravating a knee injury, a knock he first sustained in October. His absence in the right wing-back position has forced 33-year-old Cesar Azpilicueta and natural centre-back Trevoh Chalobah to fill in.

Chelsea have identified the area as a priority, alongside a new midfielder, to improve the output in attack within Potter’s system. The Blues boss has often used a 3-4-2-1 formation with an emphasis on the wing-backs but has suffered majorly with a string of injuries.

Despite James returning to training and approaching his long-awaited return, Gusto is being lined up to provide competition. Only 19, many supporters will be keen to learn more about their future right-back and with that in mind, football.london brings you a look at the latest potential arrival under Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital.

Who is Malo Gusto?

Gusto, of Portuguese descent, spent his youth days at AS Villefontaine and Borgoin-Jallieu before joining Lyon at the age of 13 in 2016. After progressing remarkably through the Les Gones’ academy – impressing in the UEFA Youth League in 2019/20 – the right-back was named in Rudi Garcia’s first team before making his senior debut in a 5-0 away win at Saint-Etienne in January 2021.

The defender appeared eight times in the Lyon starting XI, as well as another cameo off the bench, in the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign. In the summer of 2021, former Borussia Dortmund and Ajax boss Peter Bosz was appointed and played a pivotal role in implementing Gusto into the first team.

Whilst playing for the France Under-19s, captaining the side in September 2021, Gusto became first choice right-back following Mattia De Sciglio’s loan return to Juventus. The teenager made 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season whilst playing a starring role in the club’s run to the Europa League quarter-final.

He’s only improved from his experience in the first team and has played all but four of Lyon’s 19 league games this season. It’s important to note, despite still being so young, Gusto has represented his nation at Under-16 to Under-21 level, where he played alongside Chelsea duo Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.