Chelsea's newest January acquisition Malo Gusto has admitted the Blues' exciting project was his main reason for wanting to join the club. The 19-year-old full-back joins on a six-and-a-half-year contract and will be loaned back to the Ligue 1 side for the rest of the season.
Gusto will supply Graham Potter with quality back-up and competition for Reece James when he re-joins with the squad over the summer. An immediate loan back to Lyon may appear confusing as James is still continuing his rehabilitation from injury and Gusto would provide an option in the meantime, however that term being agreed was likely the only way a winter move was sanctioned after what Lyon club president Jean-Michel Aulas revealed.
Aulas released a statement posted to Twitter on Thursday, writing: "Since I am actively participating with Vincent Bruno Laurent in this great winter movement, I have the pleasure of confirming the team on KTE but also of specifying that Malo, a great hope for OL, will continue to play with OL in less until 06/30/23."
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Manager Laurent Blanc then doubled down on that claim the following day. He said: “The board have guaranteed to me that Cherki and Gusto will be here until the end of the season.”
Although Gusto can now officially be considered a Chelsea player, Aulas and Blanc were technically correct with their comments, as the teenager will continue to play in France until the end of the season. Guaranteed first-team minutes will only benefit the Blues and their latest signing, likely placing him in a great position to compete with James for the right-back spot next season.
The arrival of Gusto takes Todd Boehly's January spending to £213.7million following Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana through the door at Stamford Bridge.
Upon signing for Chelsea, Gusto said: "I like the city [London]. I am really really happy to come here. I chose Chelsea because it's a very big club and I like the project. I am very happy to be here. Thank you for your messages. See you soon."
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