27 Malo Gusto

Malo Arthur Gusto was born on 19 May 2003 in Décines-Charpieu, near Lyon, France.[1][3] Growing up in Villefontaine, Isère, he initially played rugby before shifting to football, determined to pursue a professional career while studying for a baccalauréat technologique.[6][7]

Gusto’s early football journey began at ASVF before he moved to Bourgoin-Jallieu for a year.[8][9] He then joined Lyon’s academy as an under-14, following a path similar to his predecessor Amine Gouiri.[10][11] His arrival coincided with the club’s move to the Stade des Lumières, situated in his hometown.[12]

At Lyon, he progressed alongside talents like Florent da Silva, Yaya Soumaré, and Rayan Cherki. His performances in the Youth League and National 2 caught attention, leading to his first professional contract in December 2020.[13][14]

Club Career

Lyon: A Rising Star

Gusto made his professional debut for Lyon on 24 January 2021, coming on as a late substitute in a 5–0 Ligue 1 victory against rivals Saint-Étienne.[7][15] He made another appearance later that season before signing a contract extension in June 2021, securing his stay at the club until 2024.[16][17]

On 7 August 2021, he started his first Ligue 1 match in Lyon’s opening fixture against Brest, becoming the club’s youngest starting defender since Samuel Umtiti.[19][20]

Despite initially being behind Leo Dubois in the right-back hierarchy, Gusto impressed under manager Peter Bosz. He started key matches, including Lyon’s 2–0 Europa League victory over Rangers and a 2–1 loss against Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.[10][7][21][22]

Chelsea: Premier League Breakthrough

On 29 January 2023, Chelsea secured Gusto’s signing on a contract until 2030, paying Lyon €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses.[4][23] He remained on loan at Lyon for the rest of the 2022–23 season before officially joining Chelsea in the summer.

Gusto made his Chelsea debut on 13 August 2023, playing in a 1–1 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League.[24] On 24 September, he received his first career red card in a home defeat to Aston Villa after a VAR review for a late challenge on Lucas Digne.[25]

Despite a competitive squad, Gusto has established himself as a key part of Chelsea’s defense, showcasing his pace, defensive skills, and attacking instincts.

International Career

Youth Career

Gusto is of Portuguese descent through his father[26] and Martiniquais descent through his mother.[27]

He represented France at various youth levels, initially playing as a midfielder for the U16s before transitioning to a full-back role for the U17 and U18 squads. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he didn’t feature in official matches for the U18s.[12][28][29]

In September 2021, Gusto returned to international duty with the U19s, playing every minute in a friendly tournament against Russia, Slovakia, and Slovenia, even captaining the side.[30][31][32][33][34]

The following month, both he and Rayan Cherki were promoted to the U21 squad. On 8 October 2021, they made their debuts off the bench in a dominant 5–0 victory against Ukraine in a UEFA Euro U21 qualifier.[35][36][37][38][39]

Senior Career

On 9 October 2023, Gusto received his first senior call-up to the France national team, replacing the injured Jules Koundé for matches against the Netherlands and Scotland.[40][41] He made his senior debut on 13 October, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 win over the Netherlands, helping France secure qualification for the European Championship.[42]

Playing Style

Gusto is known for his agility, attacking mindset, and versatility. Initially playing as a midfielder and winger, he transitioned into a dynamic right-back, utilizing his speed, stamina, and technical ability to contribute both defensively and offensively. His ability to adapt across multiple positions makes him a valuable asset for Chelsea and France.

As he continues to develop, Gusto has the potential to become one of Europe’s most exciting full-backs, blending defensive reliability with attacking flair.