By 90min | Created at 2025-01-06 15:11:37 | Updated at 2025-01-07 23:30:33
1 day ago
Chelsea are reported to be considering recalling centre-back Trevoh Chalobah from his loan with Crystal Palace to aid their defensive issues.
Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana have both been sidelined by long-term injuries, although the latter has questioned manager Enzo Maresca's public belief that he could be sidelined for the entire season.
The limited options available to Maresca saw him turn to 18-year-old Josh Acheampong, who dazzled against a Palace side unable to field Chalobah at the weekend.
It had previously been claimed that Chelsea's loan contract with Palace does not include a break clause, but The Athletic now suggest otherwise and state the Blues are considering bringing Chalobah back this month.
Chelsea have already brought summer signing Aaron Anselmino back from his loan with Boca Juniors to bolster at the back and they could do the same with Chalobah, who has caught the eye under Oliver Glasner in south London this season.
Chalobah's loan does not include a purchase clause / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages
Key to the Blues' thinking could be Chalobah's versatility. While a natural centre-back, the 25-year-old has plenty of experience both on the right of defence and in midfield, meaning he could perform a number of roles in Maresca's fluid setup.
Bringing Chalobah back to Stamford Bridge would be significant as the academy graduate was frozen out of the squad during pre-season as part of a plan to sell him for pure profit under PSR pressure, stripping him of his squad number and sending him to train with the famous 'bomb squad', before a loan to Palace surfaced late in the summer transfer window.
That decision was met with real controversy, not least because of Chalobah's home-grown attachment to the club. The 25-year-old played a major role in the second half of last season under former boss Mauricio Pochettino and was a key part of Chelsea's rise from 11th to sixth in the standings.
Chelsea signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer during the summer and the former Fulham man, alongside Axel Disasi, pushed Chalobah down the pecking order before Palace offered him the chance to reignite his career.
