Gusto open to January Chelsea exit after losing right-back place under Alonso
Malo Gusto is open to leaving Chelsea in January after losing his place in Xabi Alonso's side. With years left on his deal and a summer asking price on record, the club's valuation will be tested before the window closes.
January could bring an end to Malo Gusto’s time at Chelsea. Ahead of the window, the right-back is weighing up his options, BBC Sport reported.
Chelsea’s current stance on a sale is not clear.
Alonso has turned to other right-backs
Gusto’s drop down the pecking order has come under Xabi Alonso. Chelsea announced in May that Alonso would take charge on a four-year contract starting on 1 July 2026. The Premier League has noted that his title is manager rather than head coach. He was also allowed to bring his whole backroom staff.
At right-back, Alonso has picked Josh Acheampong. When changes are needed, he has brought on Marco Palestra before Gusto.
Palestra arrived from Atalanta in the summer. The 21-year-old Italy international signed a deal to 2033 and joined pre-season training under Alonso. He was named Serie A Defender of the Year after a loan at Cagliari. Across 37 league games there, he was used on the left and the right, in defence and in more advanced wide roles.
That versatility gives Alonso options that Gusto, so far, has not been able to displace.
James injury has not opened the door
Gusto’s situation stands out because Chelsea are short of one senior right-back. Captain Reece James had minor knee surgery after being hurt in training. He missed the 5-1 home win over Bournemouth.
The captain’s recovery should keep him sidelined until 2027, with a lay-off of roughly three months expected, Sky Sports reported. In normal circumstances, that would push Gusto back into contention.
Instead, Acheampong and Palestra have been preferred. Alonso’s public position is that the James injury will not alter Chelsea’s January plans. That stance suggests the manager is comfortable with his current options. It also leaves little sign of a quick route back for Gusto.
Gusto joined permanently from Lyon in January 2023. He won his first senior France cap in October of that year. Chelsea therefore hold a long contract on a senior France international. That gives them leverage in any negotiation.
The open question is whether they will hold firm on last summer’s valuation. Losing a place in the team can weaken a player’s value in talks. A long deal pulls the other way. Chelsea do not have to sell, and buyers know a fee will need to reflect that.
For supporters, the choice is a familiar one. Chelsea can keep Gusto as cover while James recovers. Or they can cash in and trust Acheampong and Palestra for the rest of the season.
The decision has a fixed timetable. Once the window opens on Friday 1 January, Chelsea will have a month to settle Gusto’s future.
References
Analysis: How will Chelsea look under Alonso? (Premier League)
Reece James: Chelsea captain out for around three months after minor surgery on knee injury picked up in trai… (Sky Sports)
Malo Gusto – player profile (Chelsea FC)
Chelsea star reaches verdict on leaving in January with transfer to Liverpool now on for two reasons (Football365)
