Malo Gusto proving a right-back upgrade on Reece James at Chelsea

"New era loading… ps. we just getting started." 

Reece James wasn’t wrong when he posted that tweet in August. He just didn’t realise the new era at Chelsea would be taking shape without him. The newly appointed skipper was bullish following an impressive opening-day performance against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.  

Yet as we head into April, there’s talk he could be sacrificed in the summer. Chelsea are under pressure to balance the books to stay in line with Financial Fair Play and homegrown assets bring in the most profit. However, that might be only part of the reason the England international is at risk this summer.  

James has been limited to just 391 minutes in the Premier League this term due to injuries.  He racked up just 1,244 minutes last season. Simply put, he is unreliable, at best. Hamstring injuries have plagued the 24-year-old throughout his career and making him an integral part of a team is a risk. He just cannot be relied upon.  

In previous campaigns, however, Chelsea have lacked a reliable back-up for the No.24. They haven’t had someone of his quality waiting in the wings to step in and it has just been a case of waiting for him to return. This has made him feel irreplaceable at times.  

Not now though. And this is no doubt why the Blues are seemingly a little more open to cashing in on their skipper.  

Malo Gusto hasn’t just filled in for James this season. He’s arguably been an upgrade at right-back.  

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has been pleased with Gusto’s progress and he praised the young Frenchman recently, saying: "The plan for Malo Gusto was that of a 19-year-old player who had come from another league, France, and there were circumstances where a young kid needed time," explains Pochettino. 

"But it’s true he played before we thought because of the injuries. He needed to perform from the beginning while adapting to the Premier League, to the club, and living in a different country. 

"Malo has suffered with some injuries and that is why we have played sometimes with Alfie Gilchrist or Axel Disasi in that position (right-back). But it's not a surprise the young guys that have arrived need time. He was injured, then he played and then he was injured, but now after eight, nine months, we have started to see what we expected from him. 

"I hope now he (Gusto) can be consistent, if he plays regularly, and starts to show his quality. He is a player with a great capacity going forward and attacking. Like the cross against Brentford, the quality going forward is really good. He needs to improve in other areas and with time for sure he will improve. I’m very happy with how he behaves and how he performs." 

The cross against Brentford referenced by Pochettino was Gusto’s fifth Premier League assist of the season. His return of five assists in 21 appearances, of which 16 have been starts, is even more impressive when you consider how inconsistent Chelsea have been as a team.  

Gusto, in his debut campaign for the Blues, has been one of the most reliable performers in a young side. In fact, only Cole Palmer (8) has more assists than Malo in the Premier League this term. That stat alone highlights just how influential he’s been despite the fairly limited playing time while adapting to the rigours of a new league.  

Another interesting stat is that the former Lyon man has more assists for Chelsea this season than Reece James has for the Blues since the start of the 2022/23 campaign. He hasn’t just covered for the injured captain, he’s replaced him.   

In his last outing against Burnley, Gusto played five key passes in the 2-2 draw. No player attempted more at Stamford Bridge while only Mykhalio  Mudryk (9) could better his four attempted dribbles. The No.27 has proven himself to be a key player for the Blues and though he too has had injuries, if he can be managed properly these don’t have to plague his entire career and he could make the right-back position his own for the next decade.  

He went off with a hamstring concern against Burnley and it is safe to say his absence will be felt more than James’. If Chelsea are to finish the season well, Gusto needs to be involved.