Gusto was signed by the Blues in January 2023 but only joined up with the first-team squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Disasi, meanwhile, completed a switch from Ligue 1 side Monaco in August.

With Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile in situ, Christopher Nkunku linking up with the Blues and Lesley Ugochukwu also arriving last summer, the French contingent at Chelsea has quickly grown. Gusto and Disasi have felt the benefit.

‘Outside the pitch we laugh a lot with the other French guys,' explains Disasi, 'People call us the ‘French mafia’ [as a joke]! But it is really good to have some friends away from the pitch.

'With Malo, sometimes I go to eat at his home and he can come to mine. It is really good to have someone who understands me. Also, I play centre-back and Malo plays right-back, so I think it really helps to keep this relationship strong, it helps us on the pitch.'

Gusto agrees: ‘It is very important to build this type of relationship. Especially for us, because we are close on the pitch. It is important to speak between us. You have to trust your teammate, so it is important to have this type of relationship.’

Gusto and Disasi were quickly thrown into the action this season, with their debuts coming against Liverpool in our opening match of the season.

Memorably, Disasi scored on his first appearance for the Blues to ensure we earned a point and a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

'I was on the bench when he scored,’ recalls Gusto. ‘It was crazy. ‘I was so happy for him in that moment and it was very, very nice to have this type of memory together.’

The pair have come a long way in the months since. Only three Chelsea players have made more than Disasi's 31 Premier League appearances this term while Gusto has featured in 24 matches in the top flight.

Each outing has been a learning opportunity, a chance to gain valuable experience in the English game.

'Everyone knows about the Premier League,' says Disasi. 'When we both signed here, we expected it to be a fight with a high intensity, a lot of pace and all of this.

'I think also that we prepare well. You can see all this season that we have improved and made each other [improve]. Next season will be better because now we know better the league, the club and the culture.'

Not that there isn't still plenty to play for this season.

The Blues head to Nottingham Forest on Saturday in fine form and with a European place still in their sights - sixth-placed Newcastle United currently sit two points ahead of us with three games remaining.

Both Gusto and Disasi started the reverse fixture in September, a disappointing defeat on home soil. It's not something that has been forgotten.

‘Of course we want revenge,' says Disasi. 'But it will be a tough game because they are fighting to avoid relegation.

‘It is an away game also, so we expect a tough game with a lot of fight. But I think the last two games mean we can go there with confidence.’