Chelsea are considering selling another full-back after Real Madrid signed Marc Cucurella in a deal worth £52m. According to The Sun, the future of Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto is ‘far from certain’ with Stamford Bridge bosses considering cashing in.
Gusto's Chelsea Career
Gusto has made more than 100 appearances for the Blues since his £31m move from Lyon in 2023, including 49 last season. The 23-year-old is currently at the World Cup with France but was an unused substitute in their opening group game against Senegal.
It is claimed Man City’s reported interest in Gusto is wide of the mark but that there is still ‘no guarantee’ he will still be at Chelsea come the start of next season.
Cucurella's Departure
Cucurella made it clear that he was open to a summer move after attracting interest from Barcelona, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid. But Real Madrid quickly swooped in to sign the Spain left-back on a six-year deal, with Cucurella joining ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu.
‘If you had asked me a few months ago, I probably would have said I don’t expect to leave Chelsea,’ Cucurella said. ‘I was very happy there and so was my family. It isn’t easy leaving Chelsea. I arrived as a young kid, I dreamed of winning trophies and Chelsea gave me that, but I think the step to go to Real Madrid now is bigger.’
Academy Prospect Ready
If Gusto was to leave, highly-rated 20-year-old academy graduate Josh Acheampong could be in line for more game-time. A number of clubs have expressed interest in signing Acheampong but he is believed to be one of several ‘untouchable’ members of Chelsea’s squad.
Club's Disappointing Season
Chelsea were expected to kick on under Enzo Maresca after winning the Club World Cup last summer, but slumped to a 10th-place finish in the Premier League. Both Maresca and his immediate replacement Liam Rosenior lost their jobs at Stamford Bridge, with Xabi Alonso now preparing to take over from the start of July.
Alonso, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder, officially takes over at Chelsea in July after being appointed on a four-year contract.
Cucurella might not be the only Chelsea player departing west London this summer, however, with Enzo Fernandez equally keen to secure a summer switch and a number of other former teammates linked with moves.
