Troy Deeney has revealed he ‘doesn’t rate’ Chelsea star Malo Gusto but hailed a Liverpool summer signing as the ‘most underrated in the Premier League’.
France international Gusto received many plaudits for his impressive performance in Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton on Saturday.
The 22-year-old, who Chelsea signed for £31m in 2023, provided the assist for Cole Palmer’s opening goal before scoring himself.
Naturally a right-back, Gusto has shown a willingness and an ability to step into Chelsea’s midfield, as club captain Reece James often does to great success.
Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy were among the pundits to single out Gusto for praise after the Everton win and Deeney too named him in his BBC Team of the Week.
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But the ex-Premier League striker could not resist taking a swipe at Gusto in the process, saying he ‘doesn’t rate’ the £31m Chelsea signing.
‘I’m not the biggest lover of this fella if I’m being honest,’ Deeney said. ‘I can’t work out why I don’t rate him but I just don’t.
‘But credit where credit is due – he scored a good goal and played well against Everton – who were poor.
‘He seems to be stepping up. A goal and an assist. I have to be as fair as I can.’
While Deeney gave a mixed verdict on Gusto, he had nothing bad to say about Liverpool summer signing Hugo Ekitike, who he rates as ‘the most underrated striker in the Premier League’.
Ekitike, who Liverpool signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m, continued the promising start to his Anfield career with a brace in Saturday’s win over Brighton.
Liverpool fans were excited about the arrival of Alexander Isak in a record £125m deal from Newcastle United but it is Ekitike who has predominately been leading the line for Arne Slot’s side.
‘The most underrated striker in the Premier League,’ Deeney said of the France forward. ‘Two goals in back-to-back games.
‘The kid scores. He comes off after 70 minutes for Alexander Isak. Fantastic signing.
‘He will be pushing Erling Haaland all the way for most goals. This kid is mustard – he’s the real deal.
‘Another one who will be looking at the World Cup and thinking he’s got to go – he can play off the left-hand side with Kylian Mbappe for France.’
Chelsea’s victory over Everton at the weekend took the Blues back into the Champions League places, though they remain eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
Enzo Maresca’s side sealed another win on Tuesday night, beating League One side Cardiff City 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The clash looked set for extra-time when David Turnbull cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s opener but late goals from the Argentine and Pedro Neto sent Chelsea through.
Chelsea will face either Manchester City, Brentford, Newcastle, Fulham, Arsenal or Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are seventh in the Premier League after Saturday’s home win against Brighton.
Sitting ten points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, a title defence is likely beyond Slot’s side but they at least appear to have turned a corner following a shocking run.
Liverpool will look to continue their encouraging revival on Saturday when they face inconsistent Tottenham, while Chelsea face a tricky trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle.
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