Solid purchase and backup for RJ

Reece has been sloppy at times in preseason, more than just a backup imho.

I would pick Gusto in front of James if defence without the ball was the only thing. Of course it isn't and James is nothing less than  outstanding on the ball mostly finding a pass no matter how tight the space. Think we are very lucky to have Gusto, I thought he was going to shine in attack but so far he has been content to simply defend. Don't think he's been beaten once in pre season other than that corner defence goal.

Very talented - he’ll do well in PL. Reality is he’ll likely develop well beyond being second choice to James. We’ll have options here, as will he. Great signing. 

This signing has gone under the radar a bit as it was done in January, but he could turn out to be a hell of a signing. Similar to when we signed Azpi, unheralded and unspectacular signing but turned out to be a belter. Hope this lad can be half as good a buy as him.

On 23/07/2023 at 13:33, El regreso said:

We watched different games because outside of the set pieces which is team issue really with poor defending all around one of the best wingers last season couldn’t get pass him!!

Quote my self from the Brighton match, he’s been outstanding all pre-season.

2 hours ago, dkw said:

This signing has gone under the radar a bit as it was done in January, but he could turn out to be a hell of a signing. Similar to when we signed Azpi, unheralded and unspectacular signing but turned out to be a belter. Hope this lad can be half as good a buy as him.

True. Makes the constant injures James is suffering from less of an issue.

I love reece james but one of the best attributes of a top footballer is availability and he's struggled on that front due to recurring injuries (I still think he's carrying too much bulk for his role) so having a quality backup (and he may yet surpass) is not a bad problem to have. 

He is so good at defending 1 v 1 

So how good is he? Now that Reece is out long term, can he simply step in and do the same job? (hopefully without the being injured every five minutes bit)

I knew that he would play more than James this season unfortunately. So he's got to step up the plate. It's going to get to a point where Reece and Chilwell become the backups for our signed "backups" unfortunately. 

12 minutes ago, Victor90 said:

I knew that he would play more than James this season unfortunately. So he's got to step up the plate. It's going to get to a point where Reece and Chilwell become the backups for our signed "backups" unfortunately. 

If we had to rely on Cucurella as our starting left back for any period of time we can probably write the season off.

6 minutes ago, just said:

If we had to rely on Cucurella as our starting left back for any period of time we can probably write the season off.

If history is to say something, then we know that once James goes down, Chilwell is about to at some point.

As much as I love them, those two can't stay fit to save their lives, James especially. I might regret saying what I said about Lewis Hall. 

Looked very solid in pre season hopefully that continues

2 hours ago, just said:

If we had to rely on Cucurella as our starting left back for any period of time we can probably write the season off.

This is why we must keep Maatsen as a minimum

3 hours ago, dan_cfc said:

Looked very solid in pre season hopefully that continues

Exactly this. PL is a step up in quality, speed, and expectation, but he has the tools. 

Physically he’ll go up against anyone, and has pace to burn. That generally serves any full back well, and he isn’t half bad technically either. 

Give him time to settle, but over time, if James can get and stay fit, I’ve thought from Gusto’s first kick we’ll do well to hold on to him as a backup RB. He’s too good for that. 

Wasn't very impressed against Liverpool in the minutes he played but he needs the time to show because he had a good pre-season, I believe he will do the job while Reece is out.

We need to give a chance against West Ham.

Is going to be getting a lot of pitch time this season. Was excellent in the pre-season games. Good luck to him and hopefully he can nail down that RB spot.

2 assists. 

Glad we have someone that matches James as a player for a backup

Looking to be an excellent buy 

His crossing is something else.... Dare I say it better than RJ??? 

 

RJ is epic but I feel gustos low ball cross is out of this world LOL

Really solid game, glad he is covering for Reece well. Won’t be easy to be 2nd choice to the club captain but looking like he will keep James on his toes when he’s back fit.

Still not entirely convinced by him but that second half was pretty good. Let's hope this gives him some confidence to build on. He does have a good cross on him.

Much better in the last half, he grew in confidence. 

I had a feeling that he was very much lacking in confidence last game and the first half, just didn't want to take risks. Whenever he had freedom with the ball he would look to pass it back. 

We need Gusto to be a good player, because he's not really a backup player. RJ has a terrible injury record and Gusto is likely going to be playing more games.