Malo Gusto is having a good season at Chelsea — perhaps his best so far — but the defender will not rest on his laurels.
During this campaign, Gusto has managed to score his first goals for Chelsea, netting against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton. In the previous two seasons, the right-back did not manage to score at all.
There have been some downs. For example, Gusto was sent off by referee Jarred Gillett, who is officiating Chelsea’s match against Aston Villa on Wednesday night. But overall, he can be happy with how things are going right now.
START, BENCH, SELL: Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Malo Gusto
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella coming on for Malo Gusto
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Which order are you going with? 🤔
Malo Gusto wants to become the world’s best right-back
Gusto has been one of the best right-backs in the Premier League this term, but the 22-year-old is aiming higher than that. He wants to become the No.1 in his position in the world.
In a recent interview with Telefoot, Gusto said: “My goal is to be the best in the world in my position.”
Whether Gusto goes on to achieve that or not, Chelsea can be more than happy with their investment. He cost them just £31m, signing from Lyon back in 2023.
Gusto is also a left-back option for the Blues, having played there a few times this season, but his future is unquestionably at right-back.
However, his dream of becoming the world’s best right-back is going to be impossible to accomplish at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea duo Reece James and Malo Gusto with Club World Cup medals
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Reece James a barrier to Malo Gusto’s dream
Gusto becoming the best right-back in football would mean ousting Reece James from the Chelsea team and surpassing the England international. As long as James stays fit, there is not a world where that happens.
James is arguably the most complete full-back in the game and showed how with an incredible performance against Arsenal.
Who has been the better right-back this season?
Reece James vs Jurrien Timber
Credit: Marc Atkins/Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
The 26-year-old can defend, attack and is staying fit these days. If Gusto wants to be an automatic starter and become a better player than his captain, he is going to have to leave Chelsea.
Chelsea fans will not want to see that happen, as Gusto is an excellent deputy to James. But the former Lyon man clearly wants to be more than that.
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