Avoid Reece James Woe with Malo Gusto Form: A Solution for Chelsea
Reece James has had a rough time with injuries, and Chelsea has often rushed him back onto the pitch. It’s challenging to find the right balance when deciding when to bring back a key player after an injury. Despite advancements in data and medical assessments, there is no surefire way to predict recovery. However, Chelsea’s dependency on James has led them to bring him back prematurely, causing further setbacks.
Last season, James suffered a knee injury against AC Milan in October and returned two months later for a match against Bournemouth. Instead of easing him back into the game, he started from the beginning, leading to another injury. He missed another five weeks of the campaign and had only two months of play before getting injured again.
The same frustrating pattern has continued into the 2023-24 season. James has made just nine appearances, never completing a full 90 minutes due to hamstring injuries. In December, he underwent an operation on his right leg, with an expected recovery time of three to four months.
While James undoubtedly wants to return as soon as possible, Chelsea can afford to be patient. They need to ensure that James is fully recovered physically and mentally before bringing him back. The presence of Malo Gusto has provided Chelsea with an alternative and bought them some time.
Malo Gusto may not be as good as James in the right wing-back role, at least not yet. However, his performances have limited the impact of James’ absence. Gusto joined Chelsea from Lyon for £26.3 million in January last year but spent the second half of the season on loan at Ligue 1 club.
Gusto’s first full season at Stamford Bridge has been impressive, making him one of the best signings under Chelsea’s new owners. Despite being only 20 years old, he has already shown great potential. In the recent 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, Gusto provided width to Chelsea’s attack and delivered an impressive 11 crosses. He played a crucial role in setting up Conor Gallagher’s equalizer and had 132 touches throughout the game.
The influence of Gusto on Chelsea’s attacking play was evident, with 50% of their attacks coming down the right flank where he operated. In contrast, only 30% of their attacks came from the left flank, where the more experienced left back Ben Chilwell played. Gusto has already produced six assists in all competitions, including an exceptional cross for Nicolas Jackson in the FA Cup victory against Aston Villa.
Of course, as a young player new to English football, Gusto will have his off days and make mistakes. The 4-2 loss to Wolves saw him concede a penalty due to a rash tackle. However, Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s coach, is pleased with Gusto’s overall contribution. Although he still wishes for James’ return, Pochettino recognizes the need for Gusto to play and develop. He believes that Gusto will continue to improve and is delighted with his progress.
Gusto’s workload needs to be managed to avoid fatigue and potential injuries. While there are backup options like Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah, they are not ideal as they usually play as center-backs. Academy graduate Alfie Gilchrist is also available but lacks senior experience. Despite these limitations, Gusto has become a trusted member of Chelsea’s starting XI and will continue to feature regularly.
With Gusto performing well, Chelsea can afford to wait patiently for James’ full recovery. The competition between James and Gusto can wait until James is physically and mentally ready. Chelsea’s focus should be on supporting Gusto’s development and ensuring he maintains his excellent form for the rest of the season.
In conclusion, Malo Gusto’s impressive performances have alleviated the pressure on Reece James’ return from injury. Chelsea can afford to be patient and prioritize James’ complete recovery, thanks to Gusto’s contributions on the right wing-back position. Gusto’s form has made him an integral part of Chelsea’s starting lineup, and his development will continue to strengthen the team.