With Reece James still out injured, Malo Gusto started Chelsea’s game against Burnley at right-back.
It was Malo Gusto‘s 30th appearance this season, with the 20-year-old really impressing during his debut campaign at Chelsea.
Across those 30 games, Gusto, who joined the Blues from Lyon last January, has registered eight assists.
He has not been a bad deputy to James, replacing the Chelsea captain’s attacking threat.
That attacking threat was once again on display in his side’s Premier League tie with Burnley, something which Jason Cundy discussed. Despite Mauricio Pochettino‘s team struggling in the English top flight this season, the Frenchman has no regrets about joining them.
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What Jason Cundy noticed about Malo Gusto during Burnley match
A lot happened in the first half of Chelsea’s clash against Vincent Kompany’s men this afternoon.
Axel Disasi scored a disallowed goal before the Blues were awarded a penalty, which Cole Palmer converted, and Lorenz Assignon was sent off.
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Gusto was unable to set up any of his team-mates with a cross, which he has done multiple times this term.
Nevertheless, Cundy still thought the France international was a massive threat for the home side in the first 45 minutes.
Discussing Gusto on Chelsea’s official website (30/03/2024 at 15:17), the former defender said: “He almost plays like a winger.”
When will Reece James return from injury?
While Gusto has definitely not done a bad job in James’ absence, Pochettino will want the 24-year-old back as soon as possible.
James is Chelsea’s captain and one of the best right-backs in the world.
As per FBref, the England international has ranked in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons and the 82nd for tackles among full-backs over the last year.
However, it now looks like there is a chance that he will not play again this season.
“No, I don’t know,” Pochettino was quoted as saying by the Evening Standard when discussing whether his skipper will be back before the end of the campaign.
Despite all of his injury woes, it has been reported that Chelsea would not even accept an offer of more than £100m for James.
