Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto is an exceptional crosser of the football.
That is according to ESPN pundit Don Hutchison.
Malo Gusto, 20, is really growing in stature as a key player during his debut season in Chelsea colours.
The attack-minded right-back can be great going forward, contributing six assists across all competitions so far.
Equally, the French youngster defends aggressively and looks the full package.
Despite some poor signing in the last couple of years, Gusto’s transfer in a £26 million deal (Sky Sports) must go down as an exceptional piece of business.
ESPN pundit Don Hutchison was really impressed by Gusto’s display in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City last weekend. In particular, he’s praised the Chelsea defender’s crossing and compared it to teammate Reece James.
Hutchison told ESPN: “I thought Gusto had a really good game. He’s a good player when he goes forward, Reece James-like. When he gets forward he’s got good delivery. That will give him a lot of confidence when you play him against [Jeremy] Doku because normally when you play against someone like that it’s very, very tricky. What you’re taught to do is show him inside into traffic, but he actually quite fancied himself in 1v1.”
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Malo Gusto serious Reece James competition
We’ve seen Chelsea captain James, 24, look like the world’s premier right-back in recent years when he’s fit and firing. But the England star does have a poor injury record, missing another significant chunk so far this campaign.
We thought it was unlikely the club could sign like-for-like cover in defence, but Gusto’s a younger version of him with so much potential.
It’s a testament to how well Gusto’s playing that he may have given Mauricio Pochettino a selection headache when James is fit again.
Speaking via Chelsea’s 5th Stand App (7:25pm, 17 February), Jason Cundy praised Gusto for his top performance at the Etihad Stadium against Man City.