An academy product playing for his club at right-back in the city where he was born and raised.
That already has a ring to it for Chelsea fans, and is the obvious comparison between boyhood blue Reece James and January target Malo Gusto, the Lyon full-back viewed as a backup option for the England international.
Gusto grew up in Lyon and has represented France’s youth teams while progressing at the Ligue 1 club, but a move before the January transfer window closes could be in the offing for the 19-year-old.
He is said to be keen on moving to Chelsea this month, according to L’Equipe, but Lyon are reluctant to sell the player during the season.
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James has been absent since December after suffering a recurrence of the knee injury that ruled him out of the World Cup, with the England international admitting 2022 was his “toughest year to date”.
Since James first suffered his injury in mid-October, Chelsea have slipped from fourth in the Premier League table to 10th, and though he has not been the only key player sidelined through injury – among others, N’Golo Kante has been out since August – his absence has been keenly felt.
Centre-back Trevoh Chalobah has been trialled on the right in recent weeks by Graham Potter, with the 23-year-old starting in their league matches against Crystal Palace and Liverpool, plus the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, ahead of Cesar Azpilicueta.
Evidently seeking more pace than a 33-year-old Azpilicueta can offer, Potter may well take a shine to Gusto, should they prise him away from Lyon.
“He had athletic ability in terms of tone, alertness and strength, which was quite impressive and above the other boys, allowing him to make huge strides during his early years,” Arthur Barriere, Gusto’s coach when the player was 12, said via Goal.
Dubbed “one to watch” by Ligue 1 in 2021, Gusto – born in the Lyon suburb of Décines-Charpieu – has gone on to make 54 appearances for Lyon, including 15 Ligue 1 starts this season, and describes his own play as “punchy and powerful”.
“Rather attacking, fast, technically adept,” he added. “And I think those are the qualities that a modern full-back should have today. I know I still have to work on my defensive positioning and tracking back.”
Eager to keep hold of Gusto, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas described the player as a “great hope” on Thursday when stressing he would not leave before the end of the season.
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An increased bid could test Aulas’ resolve, however, with Chelsea reportedly considering a £30-35m offer.
Either way – be it now or the summer – it would appear the Blues are zeroing in on yet another squad player, but also one for the future.
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