Malo Gusto emphasizes that he is not afraid to compete with Chelsea captain Reece James for playing time at right-back.
Chelsea secured the signing of Gusto for £26 million in January, with his arrival intended to provide relief for James, who has faced significant challenges due to injuries in recent seasons. James, now serving as captain, experienced a two-month absence earlier in the season due to a hamstring injury and is on the verge of returning after another three months sidelined with a similar issue.
In James’ absence, Gusto has made a notable impact in Mauricio Pochettino’s team, expressing his enjoyment of working alongside James for mutual improvement.
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“Reece is a significant player, one of the best in this position,” Gusto stated to The Athletic. “It’s not ideal for the team [when he’s injured] because Reece is the captain, and it’s not beneficial for everyone in the club. But for me, I have to be prepared and seize every opportunity.
“We communicate a lot. I try to assist him, and he tries to assist me as well. It’s a healthy competition between him and me. While we may not be similar as players, when we are on the pitch, we strive to contribute to the team, maintaining a positive mentality, and contributing with goals and assists. That’s our responsibility.”
With James expected to return only in March, Gusto is set to start for Chelsea in the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
“This trophy can be significant for this young team,” he added. “To demonstrate that we are not just young. Despite our age, on the pitch, it’s not about how old you are, you know? You have to keep pushing, game after game.
“[It helps] that we share the same experiences because we are all young. We try to support each other every day. We communicate a lot. It’s beneficial to be with people like you – it will be beneficial for the future. [Winning a trophy] can positively impact our mentality, aiding our improvement until the end of the season. We need to continue working to show the fans that we are Chelsea, and we aim to win everything.”