Chelsea Defensive Liability Courted by European Giants

Malo Gusto’s time at Chelsea could already be winding down, as L’Équipe reports, via Absolute Chelsea, that Bayern Munich have formally enquired about the French right back’s availability.

While Chelsea have not yet made a decision, the interest from one of Europe’s top clubs raises questions about Gusto’s future at Stamford Bridge—and whether the Blues should cash in on a player whose performances have split opinion since his arrival.

For Bayern, this would be a strategic move. For Chelsea, it might be an opportunity to quietly correct a mistake.

Gusto’s Promise, but Persistent Problems

Signed from Lyon for £26 million in January 2023, Gusto was brought in as the long-term backup and occasional starter to Reece James. On paper, he was the perfect fit: athletic, quick, and aggressive going forward.

But in practice, he has failed to deliver consistency, particularly in the one area where Chelsea cannot afford compromise: defense.

While Gusto’s attacking output has been promising at times—he registered 6 assists in all competitions in 2023/24—his defensive lapses have become a liability.

He’s regularly exposed in one-on-one situations, lacks positional awareness, and has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, especially in high-stakes matches. Chelsea fans, who had high hopes for the Frenchman, have begun to turn on him, calling for a replacement or even his outright sale.

And with Reece James fit again and captain of the club, there’s no question who Enzo Maresca will prioritize.

Bayern’s Calculated Gamble

So why are Bayern Munich knocking on Gusto’s door?

Under new manager Vincent Kompany, Bayern are rebuilding a more fluid and attacking identity. The club believes that in a Bundesliga environment where they dominate possession and face less direct defensive pressure, Gusto’s weaknesses can be masked while his offensive attributes shine.

They already took a similar approach with players like Alphonso Davies, turning raw speed and attacking skill into a tactical weapon. Gusto, in theory, could be the right-sided version of that experiment,

Financially, Bayern can easily afford to test Chelsea’s resolve with an offer in the region of €30–35 million. And for Chelsea, that kind of return for a backup right back who no longer inspires confidence may be too good to refuse.

Should Chelsea Sell?

While Chelsea have not made any official indication that they are ready to part ways with Gusto, this could be an ideal time to sell. With new signings arriving and squad balance a key focus under Maresca, offloading Gusto would open space, create funds, and eliminate a major tactical vulnerability.

If Bayern come forward with a credible offer, Chelsea would be wise to take it—and move forward with a better balance between attacking flair and defensive reliability at right back.

Because right now, Malo Gusto looks like a gamble that didn’t quite pay off. And Bayern might just be the perfect buyer to turn that gamble into a quiet win.