Malo Gusto electrifies the pitch as Chelsea’s dynamic right-back. Fans and experts rave about his speed, tackles, and growing goal threat in the 2025-26 season. His father Philippe, who hails from Martinique roots but works for France’s national railway SNCF after a birth in Germany, first pushes him toward rugby, yet Gusto swiftly switches to football because passion ignites his soul while he balances studies for a technological baccalauréat in Villefontaine, Isère, demonstrating discipline that shapes his professional journey ahead. Gusto joins local club ASVF before a one-year stint at FC Bourgoin-Jallieu alongside future teammate Amine Gouiri, and then Lyon academy scouts spot his talent at age 13 in 2016, propelling him into Portsmouth FC Standings the prestigious Groupama OL Academy at the Stade des Lumières just as the club relocates there, surrounding him with peers like Rayan Cherki, Yaya Soumaré, and Florent da Silva who all fuel a competitive environment that hones his skills relentlessly. Early Life and Football Roots Malo Arthur Gusto bursts onto the scene from Décines-Charpieu near Lyon, France, where he enters the world on May 19, 2003, and quickly shows immense promise as a young athlete who dreams big from an early age. Moreover, Gusto thrives in this setup, initially playing as an attacking midfielder or forward in eight-a-side games, experimenting with wide midfielder, advanced playmaker, and right winger roles before settling into right-back where his natural speed and athleticism explode, signing his first professional contract in December 2020 after impressing in Youth League and National 2 with the reserves under Rudi Garcia’s watchful eye. Consequently, this foundation builds resilience and versatility, preparing him for senior football demands as he juggles education and training with unwavering focus. Breakthrough at Olympique Lyonnais Gusto explodes into professional action on January 24, 2021, substituting for Bruno Guimarães in the 90th minute during Lyon’s dominant 5-0 Ligue 1 victory over rivals Saint-Étienne in the Derby du Rhône, marking his debut with electric energy despite limited minutes. He earns another brief Ligue 1 cameo by season’s end, prompting Lyon to reward his potential with a new contract until 2024 in June 2021, and then Peter Bosz hands him his first start on August 7 Plymouth Argyle Games against Brest, making him Lyon’s youngest defender to start a Ligue 1 match since Samuel Umtiti, showcasing composure beyond his years. Throughout the 2021-22 season, Gusto racks up 30 Ligue 1 appearances, assists four goals, and logs crucial minutes in Europa League including every minute of the quarter-final loss to West Ham, competing fiercely with veteran Léo Dubois while dazzling with overlapping runs and defensive recoveries. Furthermore, after Dubois departs to Galatasaray in summer 2022, Gusto claims the starting right-back spot under Laurent Blanc following Bosz’s exit, starting 15 of the first 19 Ligue 1 games despite three injury absences, drawing interest from Arsenal and Manchester United with his consistent performances that blend attacking flair and solid defending. In total, he amasses 53 Ligue 1 outings, one Coupe de France appearance, and seven Europa League games across 61 total for Lyon, scoring once for the reserves, before Chelsea swoops in during January 2023 with a €30 million plus €5 million bonuses deal until 2030, loaning him back to Lyon for the season’s remainder so he continues building experience seamlessly. This Lyon chapter cements Gusto’s reputation as a homegrown talent ready for Premier League challenges. Arrival and Rise at Chelsea FC Chelsea welcomes Gusto with open arms on August 13, 2023, as he debuts in a thrilling 1-1 draw against Liverpool, immediately injecting pace and precision into the right flank amid high-stakes Premier League action. Despite a controversial first red card on September 24 against Aston Villa after VAR reviews a late challenge on Lucas Digne, Gusto bounces back strongly in 2023-24 with 27 league starts, five FA Cup, and five EFL Cup appearances, contributing zero goals but seven assists overall while competing with star Reece James. In 2024-25, manager Enzo Maresca deploys him flexibly as full-back and midfielder alongside James, logging 32 league games, two FA Cup, one EFL Cup, six Europe, and seven other matches, helping Chelsea secure UEFA Conference League triumph and reaching EFL Cup final, all while adapting to tactical demands with grit and growth. Transitioning smoothly, the 2025-26 season elevates Gusto dramatically as he notches two Premier League goals—his first ever on November 8 against Arsenal Players Wolverhampton Wanderers ending a 165-game drought, followed by a goal and assist for Cole Palmer in a 2-0 Everton win on December 13—across 22 league outings, four EFL Cup, and six Champions League games by February 2026, boasting a 6.99 FotMob rating, high percentile in goals and assists among right-backs, with 1,484 minutes played despite two yellows and one red. Under new boss Liam Rosenior, Gusto delivers standout Champions League stats like 87.5% passing accuracy, 10 tackles, 16 balls recovered in four matches, and tops speed at 33.54 km/h, while recent games include Chelsea’s 3-1 Wolves win on February 7 and 2-2 Leeds draw on February 10. His two-way prowess shines, with solid performances against Pafos featuring seven crosses, one tackle, three interceptions, even amid rotation and brief injury setbacks where he returns to training swiftly. International Ambitions with France Gusto earns his first senior France call-up on October 9, 2023, replacing injured Jules Koundé for Nations League ties against Netherlands and Scotland, debuting off the bench in the 80th minute of a 2-1 win over Netherlands on October 13 that clinches qualification. He progresses through youth ranks—U16 midfielder, U17/U18 full-back (limited by COVID), captaining U19 in Slovenia friendlies, then U21 debut with Cherki in a 5-0 Ukraine qualifier—before accumulating eight senior caps by November 16, 2025, with zero goals but key contributions including France’s 2024-25 UEFA Nations League third place. Of Franco-Crystal Palace Portuguese and Martiniquais descent, Gusto proudly represents Les Bleus, blending seamlessly into Deschamps’ system with defensive reliability and forward surges. Playing Style and Unique Strengths Gusto dazzles with agile, offensively minded flair rooted in his early forward days, exploding forward with remarkable speed for overlapping runs, high stamina to track back swiftly, and determination to fix defensive lapses, making him versatile as traditional or inverted full-back. He excels in one-on-one marking, tackling (two per Champions League match average), ball recoveries (3.2 avg.), heading precision, and possession play with 87.5% passing accuracy including short, medium, long, and one-touch passes that maintain momentum, while his 40% crossing close-range accuracy and dribbling create wide threats akin to Kieran Trippier. However, Gusto works on crossing quality from distance, passing consistency, long-range shooting, and defensive steadiness, yet his top speeds (33.54 km/h), distance covered (19.77 km per UCL game), and key passes position him as a modern right-back threat. Personal Life and Off-Field Interests Gusto maintains a low-key personal life amid rising fame, living independently in London while cherishing close family ties—his French mother, once a director aiding disabled and elderly, and father Philippe provide grounding support. Single and career-focused, he indulges in luxury cars and international vacations, balancing professional rigor with Hearts FC relaxation that fuels his on-pitch energy, all while embodying discipline from his academic youth. Achievements, Honors, and Records Gusto boasts an impressive trophy cabinet: Coupe Gambardella 2021-22 with Lyon U19, Florida Cup and Premier League Summer Series 2023 with Chelsea, UEFA Conference League 2024-25, and FIFA Club World Cup 2025 USA, plus EFL Cup runner-up 2023-24. Career stats hit 187 club appearances with three goals by February 2026—143 league (three goals), eight cups, 19 Europe, seven others—highlighting his rapid ascent from Lyon reserves to Champions League contender. Challenges, Injuries, and Resilience Gusto overcomes key hurdles like his first red card, rotation behind James, and fluctuating defensive consistency, plus a recent undisclosed injury sidelining him for two games before swift return to training under Rosenior for Pafos UCL clash. He navigates 2025-26 dips post-Maresca but rebounds with goals, proving mental toughness amid Juventus’ January 2026 interest where Serie A giants eye him atop their list, though Chelsea values him highly at €35m market worth. Future Prospects and Transfer Buzz As February 2026 unfolds, Gusto eyes cemented Chelsea starts, France Euro 2028 contention, and potential Juventus move if bids near £50m hit, yet his Champions League pride, two-way stats, and youth (22 years old) signal superstar trajectory under Rosenior who praises him effusively. Analysts predict elite status with refined crossing and shooting. FAQs Who is Malo Gusto and what position does he play? Malo Gusto, born May 19, 2003, in Décines-Charpieu, France, thrives as a right-back for Chelsea FC and France national team, renowned for speed, tackling, Chargers and attacking contributions that make him a modern full-back standout in Premier League and Champions League arenas. What are Malo Gusto’s career stats at Chelsea in 2025-26? In 2025-26, Gusto logs 22 Premier League appearances with two goals, four EFL Cup games, six Champions League outings totaling 32 matches and two goals, averaging 6.99 FotMob rating, two assists, high percentiles in output, 1,484 league minutes despite cards. How did Malo Gusto start his professional career at Lyon? Gusto debuts professionally for Lyon on January 24, 2021, subbing in a 5-0 Derby win over Saint-Étienne, starts first game August 7, 2021, vs Brest as youngest defender since Umtiti, amasses 61 appearances with four assists before €30m Chelsea move in January 2023. Has Malo Gusto played for the France national team, and how many caps? Gusto earns eight senior France caps by November 2025—debut October 13, 2023, vs Netherlands (2-1 win)—plus youth levels including U21, contributing to 2024-25 Nations League third place without goals but with solid defending. What honors has Malo Gusto won with Chelsea? Gusto secures UEFA Conference League 2024-25, FIFA Club World Cup 2025 USA, Florida Cup/Premier League Summer Series 2023 with Chelsea, plus Coupe Gambardella 2021-22 (Lyon U19) and EFL Cup runner-up 2023-24. What is Malo Gusto’s playing style and key strengths? Gusto dazzles with agility, speed for overlaps (33.54 km/h top), stamina, tackling (10 UCL), recoveries (16 UCL), 87.5% passing, heading, dribbling; improves Benoit Badiashile crossing, long shots while versatile as inverted full-back. What recent injuries has Malo Gusto faced, and recovery status? Gusto misses two recent games due to undisclosed pain but returns to full training by January 2026 under Rosenior, available for Champions League vs Pafos, expected to reclaim starting spot when fit. Is there transfer interest in Malo Gusto for 2026? Juventus tops the list monitoring Gusto for January 2026, impressed by his talent but facing Chelsea’s £50m valuation; he rotates amid James competition, yet Serie A move awaits realistic bids. What are Malo Gusto’s career totals across all clubs? Gusto tallies 187 club appearances, three goals by February 2026: 143 league (three goals), eight national cups, 19 Europe, seven others; 64 Chelsea PL Vitor Roque games with seven assists, eight clean sheets. What is Malo Gusto’s background and personal life like? Gusto grows up in diverse family—Martiniquais/Portuguese father Philippe (SNCF), French mother (retired disability aid director)—lives single in London, loves luxury cars/vacations, balances career with family closeness from academic youth. 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