Chelse made their seventh January signing on Sunday with the addition of Malo Gusto, who returns to Lyon on loan for the remainder of the season.
Malo Gusto applauds Lyon supporters but Chelsea fans could be doing the same to him next season
Signing No. 7 of the month is complete for Chelsea and Malo Gusto is the latest player to be added to Graham Potter’s ranks with just days of the January transfer window remaining. The 19-year-old joins on a £26.3million deal but remains at Lyon for the remainder of the season.
That could see a degree of frustration for the Blues who require genuine competition for Reece James and a rotation option, with the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Trevoh Chalobah, Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling all having taken wing-back roles over the course of the season.
The move takes Chelsea’s January spending in excess of £200million and the outlay since the summer takeover into the region of £430million. The west London side have seen significant investment but still sit 10th in the Premier League table and 10 points behind a place in the top four.
Gusto was the latest Chelsea addition to sign a long-term contract. The French defender joins until 2030 as the Blues once again show their willingness to tie down young players into their peak years.
Of course, such contracts have helped enable the club’s spending comply with Financial Fair Play rules and moving quickly ensures the club can still draw the players they want before the possibility of no Champions League football can take hold. Nevertheless, Chelsea have high hopes for Gusto and signing talent with high ceilings has been a clear ambition under owners and their recruitment team.
“I chose Chelsea because it’s a very big club and I like the project,” noted Gusto upon the announcement of his arrival. The young defender is not the first player to acknowledge the project as part of the appeal this month.
For many years, Chelsea have been a win now club. While that surely remained part of the intention in signing the likes of Raheem Sterling in the summer and Joao Felix on this month, though there is a suggestion the club are interested in making a permanent move in the summer, there is a distinct focus on the future.
Indications early in the season were that Potter’s position would be secure regarless of Chelsea’s Champions League qualification. That could yet be tested, but ensuring a club that can challenge over the course of time seems to be a bigger priority, perhaps shown through the club being willing to allow Gusto to return to Lyon on loan in order to get the correct deal done.
The Blues have signed 11 players in the last six months who are all contracted until 2028 or beyond and are 24 or younger. Andrey Santos, Gabriel Slonina, Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei and Gusto are all still teenagers, while talent such as Omari Hutchinson and Zak Sturge were also added to the development squad in the summer.
Boehly and co have been accused of playing ‘Football Manager’ but there is evidence of a plan even if it is playing out somewhat extravagantly. Chelsea have moved swiftly to put in place the basis they want for the next decade.
There will be more layers to add, with Boehly and Behdad Eghbali both very clear on their intentions to form a multi-club model. With that in place, a development route will perhaps be easier to facilitate to ensure the Blues can find opportunities for more top, young talent.
For the moment, Chelsea are still looking to identify that and channel it into the club. Gusto is the latest example in the last six months and more will surely arise in the future.
source: football.london
