It was on the afternoon of January 26 that Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas posted a warning on social media over the future of talented full-back Malo Gusto. Negotiations with Chelsea had taken place regarding a deal for the 19-year-old but no agreement had been reached.
"I have the pleasure to explain that Malo Gusto, one of Lyon's big talents, will continue to play for Lyon until at least June 30, 2023," Aulas wrote on Twitter. It was a defiant statement but one which tactfully left the door ajar for Chelsea, who completed the signing of Gusto three days later.
The France Under-21 international agreed a contract until 2030 and joined the Blues in a deal worth around £26million. Yet Aulas stayed true to his word with Gusto loaned back to the Ligue 1 side for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign.
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The Lyon president later explained: "When a boy is approached by one of the best clubs in Europe at 19 years old and offered a situation that the family, the agent, and the player cannot refuse, you have to find the conditions that allow you to take advantage of the transfer."
Unfortunately for Lyon, fate intervened. Gusto started three successive games as a Chelsea loanee only to be forced off with a hamstring injury in the third. "You must treat it well but it's not much," declared OL head coach Laurent Blanc. "I hope Lyon and Chelsea will show common sense. In any case, he's not fit to play a Ligue 1 match."
It was quickly decided Gusto should undertake his rehabilitation at Chelsea's training base. And the Blues medical team did not agree with Blanc's assessment of the injury: Gusto was ruled out for between eight-to-ten weeks.
That has provided the Frenchman with an unexpected opportunity to acclimatise to life in England and at Chelsea. His recovery has been overseen at Cobham and that has enabled Graham Potter to meet the defender who will become part of his first-team squad next season.
"Malo is here to help with his rehab – the club made that decision," the Chelsea head coach explained last month. "But it’s nice to meet him and nice to see him in person around the building. But we’re just trying to help him get back fit."
Lyon remain hopeful that Gusto – who went down to the Chelsea dressing room after the Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund – will return to action before the end of the campaign. Whether that happens remains to be seen; the Blues will understandably want to protect their investment.
There can be little doubt, however, Chelsea have already benefitted form Lyon's misfortune. There will be no culture shock for Gusto in the summer when he joins the squad – and that will only ensure the Blues have a genuine alternative to Reece James for the first time in two seasons.
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