Divisive Chelsea man gets good reviews for linkup with world’s best player

Malo Gusto is a funny player. We can’t remember one at Chelsea like him.

He’s got all the tools, and made a really good impression in the first few months after signing from Lyon.

But since then his showings have been a bizarre patchwork, with far too many wasteful showings on the ball and a total lack of awareness in his back post defending.

In certainly games he looks great though – Enzo Maresca dropped him into midfield last Saturday against Liverpool and the Frenchman shone. Yet for all his good performances, there are some really dreadful ones too. Sometimes he looks like he’s all engine and no brain.

Despite all that he’s been a consistent callup for the France national tea, and he played last night against Azerbaijan for the full 90 minutes.

French press on Gusto performance

Malo Gusto playing for France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The first contribution came from website Foot Mercato, who wrote that “[Gusto] was one of the most active players in the first half.”

“He created the first dangerous opportunity of the match following a great combination with Kylian Mbappe and was effective in breaking through the Azerbaijani defence throughout the match to combine and deliver some interesting crosses. He seems to have finally earned his place behind Jules Kounde.”

He was given a 6/10.

Meanwhile RMC Sport went with a 5/10, and said the right back “barely faced any problems on his right flank, and even proved dangerous in the penalty area. Overall, the Chelsea player gave a decent performance.”

Gusto’s potential still to be unlocked

Gusto has great physical capacity, and certainly feels like one of those players who can continue to improve as his skills and tactical sense are refined. With good coaching for club and country, he can definitely shake off his worst characteristics and become an important player for Chelsea.