‘It’s War’ – Malo Gusto on Chelsea Competition With Reece James 

Malo Gusto asserted that “the best player will play” at the right-back position at Chelsea, claiming that he is in a “war” with Reece James for the position.

Having originally been signed in January before being loaned back to Lyon, he has held a position at Stamford Bridge since linking up with his new Chelsea teammates in the summer. Mauricio Pochettino has given the Frenchman plenty of playing time thus far, since James is still dealing with a hamstring injury. However, their competition for a spot in the starting XI is scheduled to pick back up following the international break, when James is anticipated to make his injury-related comeback.

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When asked what it is like to compete with James, Gusto replied to RMC Sport: “On the pitch, it’s war, he knows it very well, we don’t necessarily give each other any favours and it’s simply the best (player) who will play.”

However, he was quick to add: “We give each other a lot of advice, he tries to help me and I try to help him as best I can.”

Under Pochettino, Chelsea are still a work in progress. In the 2023–24 Premier League, the Blues have only accumulated 11 points through their first eight games, but Gusto thinks they will soon return to the top and become title challengers.

“It’s a long-term project. Little by little with the team, we are trying to create a real group that will move forward together to put Chelsea back where they need to be and win everything,” he added.

In place of the injured Dayot Upamecano, Didier Deschamps has called up Gusto for international duty, and he intends to make the most of the chance when France plays the Netherlands in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday night.