Chelsea defender Malo Gusto was notably absent from Zinédine Zidane’s first France squad, a significant development for a player who featured prominently in the last FIFA World Cup.
Gusto, an Olympique Lyonnais academy product, played in five of Les Bleus’ matches at the tournament and even started in the third-place play-off. Under former manager Didier Deschamps, Gusto was part of the national setup, often behind Barcelona’s Jules Koundé in the pecking order.
Zidane’s New Direction
The change in management from Deschamps to Zidane appears to have brought a new direction for the national team’s full-back positions. Zidane is reportedly keen to introduce fresh faces, a strategy that has also seen other established full-backs like Théo and Lucas Hernandez omitted from this initial squad.
Instead, the new manager called upon Andy Diouf, Adrien Truffert, and Pierre Kalulu, signalling a clear intent to blood new talent and reshape the defensive options for France.
Defensive Concerns Highlighted
Reports from L’Équipe indicate that Zidane and his coaching staff hold reservations about Gusto’s defensive attributes. The publication suggests that the Chelsea defender is believed to lack sufficient “defensive guarantees” in the eyes of the new national team management.
This assessment appears to be a key factor in his exclusion, despite his attacking prowess and recent international experience. For Gusto, this omission represents a setback in his international career under the new regime. He now faces the challenge of demonstrating his defensive capabilities and adapting to Zidane’s requirements to regain a place in future France squads.