Malo Gusto has already told Chelsea fans what to expect amid £26.3m transfer ‘agreement’

Chelsea’s incoming signing Malo Gusto has already told fans what to expect.

The Blues haven’t announced the deal just yet, but it seems they are well on their way to snapping up the Lyon right-back on an advanced deal. Gusto is expected to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer, with Chelsea getting ahead of next season, adding to the pre-agreed signing of Christopher Nkunku.

Gusto is still only 19 years of age, but he is a highly-rated France under-21 international who already has 47 senior league appearances for Lyon. It’s thought Gusto will challenge Reece James for a starting spot, with Chelsea needing to replace Cesar Azpilicueta in the long-term.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported on Twitter: “Malo Gusto to Chelsea, here we go! Medical tests have been scheduled tomorrow in order to seal the deal — he’s joining in June 2023 alongside Nkunku #CFC OL will receive €30m plus add-ons and keep the player on loan. Boarding completed - London.”

Some Chelsea fans may not know an awful lot about Gusto, so it’s a good job the youngster described his playing style in an interview with Lyon’s official website last year. He said: “(I’m) Rather attacking, punchy, powerful, fast, technically adept. And I think those are the qualities that a modern full-back should have today. I know I still have to work on my defensive positioning and tracking back.”

Gusto actually started as a midfielder before converting to a full-back later in his youth career.

“At the start it was to make up the numbers after an injury in the next age group -- U17 at the time,” he added. “So the coach put me at right back and I had a good match, and the coach hasn’t changed my position since. At first it was tough for me and for my father too, who had always seen me play in attack and now saw me at the back. But it’s still football, you have to study the position and you progress quickly.”