Forget Gallagher! Gusto gives Chelsea a bigger transfer problem

Robin Bairner

• 2 Mar 2024 12:24 CST
• 4 min read

Malo Gusto turned in another strong performance for Chelsea against Brentford in Saturday’s 2-2 draw to give Mauricio Pochettino a rare positive headache.

The under-fire manager saw his side fight back to secure a point in a match they were expected to win, putting more pressure on him as the Blues lie 11th in the Premier League.

More surgery to the team will be required in the summer, with tough decisions over some players required.

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Gusto is helping to provide one of the answers.

Pochettino is striving to keep Conor Gallagher at the club, but with Chelsea forced to sell, it may be that someone else needs sacrificed.

Could that player be Reece James? Gusto’s performances certainly suggest it’s a possibility.

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Second half thoughts, unbelievable ball from Gusto. pic.twitter.com/yexxX8HUlX

— Ash (@ChafersF) March 2, 2024

James suddenly under pressure

James, after all, has spent much of this season injured. It’s been an unfortunate but recurring theme for the 20-year-old right-sided defender.

While it has been suggested he could be repurposed to the right side of three centre-backs, where he could thrive due to his power, intelligence and technical qualities, a sale should not be discounted because of Gusto’s emergence.

Pochettino is at war with owner Todd Boehly over Gallagher. The midfielder is someone that the Argentine wants to keep at all costs – and the player does not want to leave either.

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For the Chelsea board, though, the former Crystal Palace loanee is seem as a money-making tool. Having come through the academy, selling him is advantageous to the club’s Financial Fair Play situation.

But what if Pochettino and Boehly agreed to sell James instead?

Real Madrid have taken an interest in the England international, and his loss would only have a minimal impact on the Chelsea first team. After all, he’s played only 451 minutes of first-team football this season because of hamstring problems.

The other upside is that he’s worth more than Gallagher. While the midfielder’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is €27 million, James is worth €43m, although this is dropping due to his constant injury issues.

Given James has barely been available since 2021 and Chelsea have a readymade replacement in Gusto, this is a possibility that could satisfy Pochettino, Boehly and Gallagher, bringing an end to this uneasy battle.