Chelsea star Malo Gusto has been forced to withdraw from the France U-23 squad due to an illness.
The defender will miss the forthcoming under-23 friendly games against the Ivory Coast and the United States after being diagnosed with a virus.
The former Lyon star player made his senior international debut in France’s 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in November 2023 but missed out on Didier Deschamps’ 23-man squad for France Euro 2024 warm-up clashes this month.
The 20-year-old Chelsea full-back was named in Thierry Henry’s under-23 team and had been anticipated to start in the team’s upcoming double-games.
France are looking forward to building momentum before heading into this summer Olympics in Paris, the Les Blues will lock horns with Ivory Coast on Saturday, March 23, before they battle the USA at Sochaux on Monday, March 25.
Therefore, Henry will be without one of his vital squad members, Gusto, though, the defender was said to be feeling unwell on Saturday morning before their match against Ivory Coast, according to the French publication L’Equipe.
The report claims the right-back said his goodbyes to the rest of the team at their training ground in Chateauroux and will head straight to London later on Saturday evening.
The youngster is likely to be replaced by either Bafode Diakite or Kiliann Sildillia on the right side of France’s under-23 defense.
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss, Mauricio Pochettino will undoubtedly be keeping a close look on Gusto’s fitness, with the Blues set to battle Premier League relegation-threatened Burnley at Stamford Bridge in just over a week.
The 20-year-old Malo Gusto has made 15 starts in the English top flight this season, impressing in the absence of injured club captain Reece James.
The Stamford Bridge outfit signed Gusto from Lyon for a fee of £26 million in January 2023 and shortly sent the defender back to the Ligue 1 outfit on loan for the rest of last season.
Former Arsenal and Manchester City player Bacary Sagna was speaking to Paddy Power this week, he claimed his fellow countryman had the characteristics to become the best player in the Premier League in his position.
He further said that the 20-year-old defender will have to compete for the right-back position when Reece James is finally fit for week games.
Bacary Sagna said; “Gusto is dynamic, fast, and good at one-on-ones. He was doing well at Lyon”.
“I’m not surprised to see him shining at Chelsea because he has all the qualities to be an important player”.
“Chelsea are in a rebuilding process at the moment and Gusto has been doing well but he can do even better in the coming seasons”.
He added; “He has the quality to become the best right-back in the Premier League if he keeps playing this way for a whole season”.
Pochettino, on the other hand, also claimed Gusto had quickly established himself as one of the pivotal players in his squad following Chelsea’s recent FA Cup victory over Leicester City.
He said; “The plan for Malo Gusto was that of a 19-year-old player who had come from another league, France, and there were circumstances where a young kid needed time”.
“But he indeed played before we thought because of the injuries. He needed to perform from the beginning while adapting to the Premier League, to the club, and living in a different country”.
Pochettino reflected on why he had other options in the right back position, he said; “Malo has suffered some injuries and that is why we have played sometimes with Alfie Gilchrist or Axel Disasi in that position. But it’s not a surprise the young guys that have arrived need time”.
“He was injured, then he played and then he was injured, but now after eight, nine months, we have started to see what we expected from him”.
“I hope now he can be consistent, if he plays regularly, and starts to show his quality”.
“He is a player with a great capacity going forward and attacking”.
He added; “Like the cross against Brentford, the quality going forward is good. He needs to improve in other areas, and with time for sure he will improve. I’m very happy with how he behaves and how he performs”.
What’s next for Malo Gusto?
The 20-year-old will remain in rehabilitation and continue working on his recovery until he’s fully fit for week matches.
