Lyon boss Laurent Blanc has provided an update on Malo Gusto after the defender suffered a knock. The 19-year-old is on loan at the French outfit until the end of the season after signing for Chelsea in the January transfer window in a deal around £26million, plus add-ons.
Gusto was replaced by Castello Lukeba in the first half of Lyon's clash with Lille. The France youth international aggravated a hamstring injury which has been causing him some pain for a while now, according to Blanc.
Speaking to l'Equipe, the Lyon boss revealed that Gusto has suffered 'physically and mentally' with the knock. Blanc said: "It's a pain he's been feeling for some time. It's not a big problem, but it bothers him physically and mentally. We will try to treat him well... I don't think it will take too long, but it has to be done."
READ NEXT: Gary Neville makes Todd Boehly and Man United comparison amid Chelsea transfer spend critique
It remains to be seen how long Gusto could be on the sidelines for but Le Quipe outline that it's now 'very uncertain' he'll feature against RC Lens on Sunday afternoon. In an exclusive interview with football.london, French football expert Nicholas Mamo has likened the defender to Real Madrid star Ferland Mendy.
"Gusto is a very athletic player – Juninho, Lyon's ex-sporting director said he's as fast as Mbappe the other day," Mamo said when asked to describe Gusto's playing style. "He started off as a midfielder, and it shows: he's quite offensive and has a mean cross.
"He reminds me of Ferland Mendy when he was at Lyon. However, his decision-making, such as when to press, and his positioning, leave a lot to be desired.
"That said, Lyon has had defensive woes for a long time, so it could also be a coaching issue. Either way, he will need to improve, especially defensively, to impose himself at Chelsea, or otherwise play at right wing-back with centre-backs covering him."
With Gusto likely to deputise Reece James, Mamo believes that the defender has the patience to fight for a place in Graham Potter's starting lineup. He said: "He was patient at Lyon, when [Leo] Dubois was still at the club.
"Maybe he was patient to a fault. We [Lyon fans] didn't really like Dubois, who was a good crosser, but average at everything else. But that was when he was 18.
"It is a pity he is leaving so soon after just a year as a starter. I think he needs to play, but I don't know how he will handle the competition. It's up to Potter to find the right balance."
READ NEXT:
Graham Potter can field dream Chelsea line-up vs West Ham United with Joao Felix set to return
Napoli chief reveals Victor Osimhen £107m transfer stance amid Chelsea and Man United interest
Todd Boehly sent clear Lionel Messi transfer warning amid ambitious Chelsea plan
The six Chelsea players who will step up for Graham Potter in the second half of the season
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
