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The match was Gusto’s 98th appearance for Chelsea. The six-time France international has rarely looked capable of even putting an effort on target since joining from Lyon for an initial €30million ($39m at the current rate) in summer 2023, let alone finding the net on a regular basis. Given he did not score in 61 first-team games for Lyon either, Gusto’s profligacy had become the source of much mirth in the Chelsea camp. Until now.
“I was waiting for this one,” the 22-year-old told the club’s official app with a smile post-match. “Everyone was laughing about me. They always say if I score, anyone can score! The most important thing was the win, otherwise the goal does not matter, but I am very happy for me, my family and the fans.”
The end of Gusto’s personal drought was well worth the wait.
While mainly played as a right-back since moving to Stamford Bridge, he has always been encouraged to get forward. Maresca has even taken to using him in midfield, so the opportunities to score have been there.
Until he headed Alejandro Garnacho’s cross home to put Chelsea 1-0 up in the 51st minute against Wolves, Gusto had by and large made a mess of things (in the nicest possible way) whenever the opponent’s goal loomed into view.
To fully appreciate this achievement, just look at the below breakdown of his goal threat (well, lack of it) before Saturday’s match.
An expected goals (xG) figure of 0.05 in a Chelsea shirt highlights how little danger Gusto posed in the penalty area. The biggest surprise is his long-awaited first goal for the club being a header, given he had tried to beat a goalkeeper this way just three times in his previous 97 games.
“I don’t know how he misses,” Neville said. “Well, I do,” Neville then countered to himself. “He’s a right-back, it is what we do!”
A final example of Gusto’s lack of heading prowess was on view during the goalless draw at Everton last December.
Jordan Pickford does well to block Nicolas Jackson’s shot but the rebound goes straight to Gusto. It was not the easiest finish under the circumstances but the ball still should not have gone as high over the bar as it did.
Such disappointments are a thing of the past now.
Gusto’s goal against Wolves is an unconventional ‘I was there’ moment for the 39,467 people in the crowd. It clearly means a lot to him, too.
“I am very proud, very happy,” he admitted on the Chelsea app. “I am hungry for more. It is not enough.”
Will we have to wait nearly another 100 appearances for the second goal of his career?
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