PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Malo Gusto |
| Date of Birth | 19/05/2003 (Age: 23) |
| Place of Birth | Décines-Charpieu, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in / 179 cm |
| Position | Right-Back / Right Wing-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #27 |
| Current Club | Chelsea |
| Previous Clubs | Lyon |
| International Caps | 15+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2030 |
The Frozen Moment
The television was on. Didier Deschamps was reading out the names of France’s World Cup squad. Malo Gusto’s name was called. At 23 years old, the right-back from Décines-Charpieu was heading to North America for the biggest tournament in world football.
For Gusto, it was the culmination of a journey that had begun a decade earlier, when he left his parents’ home at 13 to join Lyon’s academy. “I never asked myself if I was good enough to play professionally,” he later reflected. “I just played football, and then waited to see what happened after.” His grandmother’s advice had guided him: “Suis ton étoile.” Follow your star. And he had followed it all the way to the World Cup.
Origins
Malo Gusto was born on May 19, 2003, in Décines-Charpieu, a commune on the outskirts of Lyon. His father, born in Germany but from Martinique, worked for a train company, while his mother worked for an association supporting the elderly and people with disabilities. He was an only child, raised in the multicultural town of Villefontaine, half an hour outside Lyon.
His to organised football was late. He was already ten years old when he trained properly for the first time. His father initially encouraged him to try rugby, but it was quickly apparent that football was his calling. He played with his friends on the streets of Villefontaine, developing the skills that would later define his career.
His grandmother’s advice, “Follow your star,” became a guiding principle. At 13, he left his parents’ home to join Lyon’s academy. “I missed my parents, for sure, but it was not like I was crying every day and I wanted to go home,” he recalled. The sacrifices were worth it.
A serious back injury at 14 kept him sidelined for four or five months, but he never feared long-term consequences. He signed his first professional contract with Lyon in December 2020, at the age of 17.
The European Forge
Gusto made his senior debut for Lyon in the 2020-21 season. Over the next two seasons, he established himself as one of the most promising right-backs in Ligue 1, making 38 appearances in the 2021-22 season.
In July 2023, Chelsea signed Gusto for a fee of around €30 million. He arrived in London as a raw talent, tasked with competing for a starting spot at one of the biggest clubs in world football. He quickly adapted, making 37 appearances in his first season.
The 2025-26 season was his best at Chelsea. He made 34 Premier League appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists, and played 2,267 minutes. He also featured in 7 Champions League matches. He was a key player in Chelsea’s run to the Conference League and Club World Cup finals.
At international level, Gusto made his senior debut for France on October 13, 2023. He was part of the France squad that finished third in the 2025 UEFA Nations League. At the 2026 World Cup, he featured as a substitute in four matches, playing a total of 32 minutes.
The Anatomy of His Game
Gusto is a modern right-back defined by his athleticism, versatility, and attacking contribution. In possession, his numbers speak for themselves. In the 2025-26 Premier League season, he scored 2 goals and provided 3 assists, an impressive return for a defender. His ability to carry the ball forward and create chances from the right flank is a key part of his game.
Out of possession, his defensive work is underrated. He averaged 25 tackles and 16 interceptions in the 2025-26 season. His 57.1% duel success rate and 50% aerial duel success rate demonstrate his physicality. His versatility is a key asset. Although primarily a right-back, he can also play as a right wing-back, left-back, and even defensive midfielder. This flexibility makes him a valuable option for both club and country.
His weakness has been his inconsistency. Chelsea fans have noted that he can be “ropey” at times, though he has shown “spells of quality.” His performances in the Conference League final were criticised, with some describing him as a “car crash waiting to happen.” His discipline has also been an issue, with 3 yellow cards and 1 red card in the 2025-26 season.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 34 | 2 | 3 | 2,267 | 6.84 |
| Champions League | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| FA Cup | 4 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
| League Cup | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| Total | 49 | 3 | 5 | — | — |
TABLE B: Performance Metrics (2025/26 Premier League)
| Metric | Gusto | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 34 | 20 starts |
| Goals | 2 | — |
| Assists | 3 | — |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | — |
| Red Cards | 1 | — |
| FotMob Rating | 6.84 | — |
TABLE C: International Career
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Senior Caps | 15+ |
| Senior Goals | 0 |
| Debut | 13/10/2023 vs Netherlands |
| World Cups | 2026 |
| UEFA Nations League | 2025 (Third Place) |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Professional Debut | Made debut for Lyon |
| 2023 | Chelsea Move | Signed for Premier League club |
| 2023 | France Debut | First senior cap for France |
| 2025 | Conference League Winner | Won with Chelsea |
| 2025 | Club World Cup Winner | Won with Chelsea |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | Represented France in the tournament |
What these figures reveal is a player who has established himself as a key contributor at club level, with 49 appearances in the 2025-26 season. His 3 goals and 5 assists across all competitions demonstrate his attacking contribution from the right flank. At international level, he has 15 caps and made his World Cup debut in 2026.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup was Gusto’s first major tournament. He was named in Didier Deschamps’ squad and featured as a substitute in four matches, playing a total of 32 minutes. His appearances came against Iraq (7 minutes), Norway (3 minutes), Sweden (15 minutes), and Morocco (3 minutes).
His tournament experience was limited, but the exposure will be invaluable. He has become a trusted member of the French squad, and Deschamps has shown faith in his ability.
At Chelsea, Gusto’s future is uncertain. The club have placed a £75m price tag on the 23-year-old full-back. His representatives have held exploratory talks with multiple clubs, including Manchester City. Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Atalanta’s Marco Palestra, a player in the same position, for over £43m. The club need to make significant player sales after finishing 10th in the Premier League and missing out on European qualification.
Gusto has spoken about the importance of staying grounded. “The sacrifices were worth it,” he reflected. “To play for Chelsea, to play professional football, you have to make sacrifices when you are young.”
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Gusto is known for his quiet determination and humility. His grandmother’s advice, “Follow your star,” has been a guiding principle throughout his career.
His family has been a constant presence. His father, born in Germany but from Martinique, and his mother, French, have supported him throughout his journey. “They helped me a lot to become a good person, and after to become a good footballer,” he said.
His education was at Jules Ferry School and secondary schools Rene Cassin and Sonia Delauney. He played for his local team, AS Villefontaine, between the ages of 10 and 12, before joining the Lyon academy.
He has won five titles in his career: the Florida Cup and Premier League Summer Series with Chelsea, the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea, and the Coupe Gambardella with Lyon U19.
The Verdict from the Camp
Didier Deschamps, France head coach:
Named Gusto in France’s 2026 World Cup squad, a recognition of his talent and potential.
Chelsea fans, on Gusto's future:
Mixed views. Some believe the club should hold on to him, noting he has “shown spells of quality” and can provide competition for Reece James. Others are happy to sell for £75m, describing him as “never a Chelsea player.”
Malo Gusto, on his journey:
“I never asked myself if I was good enough to play professionally. It wasn’t like, ‘now it’s serious’… I just played football, and then waited to see what happened after.”
Malo Gusto, on his family's influence:
“They helped me a lot to become a good person, and after to become a good footballer.”
Where Next?
Malo Gusto is 23 years old and at a crossroads. He has proven his quality at Chelsea, but his future at the club is uncertain. A £75m price tag has been placed on him, and his representatives have held exploratory talks with multiple clubs, including Manchester City. Any move to the Etihad would see him reunite with Enzo Maresca, his former Chelsea manager.
