Trevoh Chalobah has an uncertain future at Chelsea after falling down the pecking order and being banished from the first-team. The 25-year-old struggled for form, fitness and playing time last season, and has stiff competition for a starting place now.
Enzo Maresca isn’t short of options in defence, so Chelsea are reportedly open to letting the academy graduate leave. Chalobah has spent his entire career at Chelsea but won’t want to sit on the bench and waste away. So if there’s Premier League interest, he might jump at the chance to move.
What does the report say?
Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider claims Chalobah has interest from three Premier League clubs. Aston Villa, Fulham and Crystal Palace are among the suitors listed in the report.
The 25-year-old isn’t training with the first-team as he’s deemed surplus to requirements. Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill are ahead Chalobah in the pecking order.
Chelsea want to sell Chalobah before the summer transfer window closes, so there’s two weeks to finalise a move. The ex-England U21 international started only 10 league games last season, so the writing was on the wall. Chalobah will be a good signing for another top-flight club, however.
Where will Chalobah end up?
Villa have been linked with the centre-back but aren’t in desperate need. They have Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Diego Carlos, Lamare Bogarde and Sil Swinkels at their disposal.
Fulham have Issa Diop, Calvin Bassey and new-boy Jorge Cuenca, but might benefit from another centre-back after losing Tosin Adarabioyo. Terence Kongolo, Kevin Mbabu and Tim Ream left over the summer too. And as for Palace, the Eagles signed Chadi Riad but could lose Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen. They could do with another defender to bolster their options at the back should the worst happen.
Dom Smith of the London Evening Standard says Chelsea are requesting around £25m for Chalobah’s signature. Time will tell where he ends up.
