Chelsea defender Malo Gusto looks increasingly likely to leave the club next year after falling out of favour under new boss Xabi Alonso.

The France right-back was an integral player during his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, following his arrival from Olympique Lyonnais, but he is firmly down the pecking order as things stand.

Gusto started three of Chelsea’s first four games of the new Premier League season, however his involvement has drastically reduced over the past few weeks, with Alonso favouring academy graduate Josh Acheampong on the right side of his defence.

Acheampong was ruled out of Chelsea’s away trip to Sunderland on Sunday due to a small knock, but Gusto was still named on the substitutes bench at the Stadium of Light, with summer signings Marco Palestra and Pep Chavarria favoured at full-back.

Gusto played just five minutes out of a possible 450 in the five Premier League matches before Chelsea’s clash against Regis Le Bris’ side and his lack of action has come despite the absence of club captain Reece James through injury.

When the England international returns to full fitness in early 2027, it’s fair to suggest that Gusto will be Chelsea’s fourth-choice right-back, behind James, Acheampong and Palestra. As a result, an exit seems highly likely.

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are both understood to be keeping close tabs on Gusto’s situation at Stamford Bridge ahead of a possible approach next year, and rumours suggest that Chelsea are willing to lower their €90 million asking price in order to finalise a sale.

Who else will leave Chelsea next year?

In addition to Gusto, Jamie Gittens also faces an uncertain future at Chelsea after a proposed summer move to AS Roma fell through. He has been plagued by injury issues since his arrival at the club and a sale may be finalised next year if the Blues receive a tempting offer.

Chelsea will also likely look to sanction the permanent sales of Benoit Badiashile, Alejandro Garnacho, Robert Sanchez, Axel Disasi, Mykhailo Mudryk and Filip Jorgensen after their loan spells away from the club expire at the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

Estevao Willian has been heavily linked with an exit, but Chelsea have no interest in losing the Brazil international.

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