Malo Gusto (20) has told RMC Sport that he was informed that the Chelsea project “could take time to get going” before joining the club last January.
Gusto joined Chelsea for a €30m fee from Olympique Lyonnais in January, however, he was immediately loaned back to Les Gones. The Lyon academy product’s gametime during that six-month loan spell was severely limited by injury, and he then joined up with his Chelsea teammates in the summer.
Due to an injury to club captain Reece James, Gusto has accrued 437 minutes for Chelsea so far this season, and currently has two assists in six Premier League appearances, even despite a red card against Aston Villa, which has seen him suspended for the club’s last two top-flight games.
Chelsea’s fortunes have been mixed. Mauricio Pochettino’s side currently sit 12th in the Premier League – the same position they finished last season. As a result, the London club aren’t competing in European competition this season. However, Gusto has revealed that he was sold a long-term project upon his arrival.
“Before signing for a big club like Chelsea, you think and inform yourself of the situation. I wasn’t necessarily surprised, the management told me that it was a long-term project that could take time to get going. Little by little, with the team, we are trying to create a real group that will move forward together to put Chelsea back to where it should be and win everything,” he told RMC Sport. Gusto is currently with the France squad having received his first call-up to the senior side, following an injury to Jules Koundé.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
