We’re slowly approaching the January transfer window, and given that it’s the international break, there’s plenty of space for a few rumors to make their way around the footballverse.
Of particular interest to us may be the story that Malo Gusto is said to be “open” to leaving Chelsea and is now “assessing his options” with three and half years still to run on his current contract (2030 expiry). The BBC are among those who nibbled a bit at this little rumor-nugget, adding that while Chelsea’s stance
at the moment is “unclear”, we were shopping the 23-year-old around this summer already, at a £75m asking price.
That’s a rather optimistic valuation, especially now that Manchester City cannot just make up income numbers (or can they?). Enzo Maresca was always a big fan of Gusto, and a reunion was speculated about before the season, but unlike in the case of Enzo Fernández, did not come to fruition.
It probably won’t help Gusto’s valuation that he’s finding himself less and less involved as the season’s come along. He’s not started a league match for two months, and I don’t imagine too many are questioning those decisions from Xabi Alonso, unlike some of his other choices of late.
Gusto’s substitute appearance against Sunderland was his 100th Premier League appearance, and 144th overall for Chelsea. He’s among our longest-serving players these days despite his young age — a testament to the constant chopping and changing of the team. Only Reece James and Wesley Fofana have been part of the first-team squad for longer.
But throughout those 3.5 years, Gusto has failed to convince consistently, despite his versatility and world class speed. He’s had moments of great impact and could at times even be practically unplayable for the opposition with his fluid movement and lack of a defined position. But those moments have been few and far between. His best season for us was, perhaps, his very first, when he often thrived in Mauricio Pochettino’s chaosball. Since Poch is about to take over at Manchester United, perhaps they will be interested in another Chelsea castoff?
