Not too often since Todd Boehly bought Chelsea Football Club almost 12 months ago has the American billionaire been left frustrated in any sort of transfer business.
Of course, there was the Enzo Fernandez saga in January that perhaps dragged on more than the club would have hoped. But they got it done. There was also the Wesley Fofana – yes, we're going to call it that word again – saga a few months before. But again, they got it done.
Another deal Chelsea got done was the signing of Malo Gusto from Lyon in January. The club, however, had to compromise with the French outfit who would only sanction the deal should Gusto play the rest of the 2022/23 season with them. Chelsea were willing to allow this, signifying just how highly they rate Gusto. The Blues could have gone out and got someone else but that was never even considered.
Chelsea have a genuine belief that the 19-year-old right-back will become a world-class footballer in the future. Next season, the Blues are set to welcome the young Frenchman into the first-team squad so he can provide competition to Reece James, who has struggled with consistent injury problems throughout this season.
James has only played 16 of Chelsea's 31 Premier League games this term, which is just over half of the matches. Frank Lampard confirmed in his press conference on Tuesday afternoon that James would be missing for the remainder of the season with yet another injury problem.
However, Lampard doesn't seem too concerned – or at least he didn't reveal any worries – about the long-term implications consistent injuries like this may have on James. The short-term impact, though, as we've seen this season on Chelsea, is immense.
"No, I don't know about that," the interim Chelsea boss replied when asked if he is worried about the number of injuries James has had this season. "Reece is a young player and sometimes there's an element of misfortune or the element of playing every three days.
"It can be taxing on the body. I don't think it is a [long-term] problem. I just think this season, you see periods, and it might be because you really understand what Reece gives this team both defensively and offensively, that your eyes are drawn when he is not there. We want to get him as fit as he can be because he is a top player."
Chelsea have been forced to play almost half of their league games this season without James, meaning the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and even wingers like Christian Pulisic have been used at right-back or right wing-back. As good of a job as some of these players have done, at times, the need for a natural wing-back like James – who on his day is one of the best players in his position in European football – is a necessity.
Gusto coming in will be a welcome relief to Chelsea supporters and an exciting prospect, too, with the talent the Frenchman has to offer at Stamford Bridge. At the time of writing, it looks as if Mauricio Pochettino will become the new permanent Chelsea head coach in the summer.
football.london understands the Argentine coach is the clear front-runner to be named Chelsea's new manager after multiple rounds of positive talks with the club's board over the vacant role that is there following Graham Potter's sacking earlier in the month. If the deal does go through and Pochettino, as expected, is named as Chelsea's new permanent head coach, then the 51-year-old will inherit a very talented squad but one that is severely lacking in confidence after a chaotic season at Stamford Bridge.
Gusto, who is eager to make a name for himself at his new club, will be the ideal candidate to support James and cover for the England international should his injury problems continue. Pochettino demonstrated during his five years in north London with Tottenham that he likes to work with every player available to him so Gusto will surely be excited at the opportunity of working with the highly-rated Argentine coach.
READ NEXT:
Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea truth revealed as Julian Nagelsmann alternative search continues
Next Chelsea manager: Zinedine Zidane makes major decision on future after Stamford Bridge links
Next Chelsea manager: Players' stance on Mauricio Pochettino revealed amid positive talks
Rio Ferdinand raises Mauricio Pochettino Tottenham return question amid Chelsea manager decision
Mauricio Pochettino already has new Chelsea answer to Harry Kane and it's not Romelu Lukaku
