Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah’s time at the club is almost up as they are doing everything to seal his exit. The 25-year-old has been barred from the first-team squad and is now training with the Under-21s. This comes after being left out of the Blues’ pre-season tour of the USA, a clear sign that he is not part of the club’s plans for the next season.
Chalobah Cornered by Chelsea
Chalobah was an important part of the team later in the 23/24 PL season. He played 10 out of the last 14 PL games. He played his part in helping Chelsea book a place in European football. However, despite these contributions, the club seems intent on offloading him.
Following Maresca’s appointment in June, Chalobah’s situation deteriorated. He has been barred from using first-team facilities at Cobham and has been relegated to the academy building.
Training with the development squad, he finds himself alongside fellow exiles Armando Broja and Romelu Lukaku, both also expected to leave the club this summer. Chalobah’s exclusion from the first-team dressing room and meals underscores the club’s strategy to isolate players not in their future plans. Similarly, Connor Gallagher was made to sign for Atletico Madrid after he was banned from the senior team.
As usual, it has been an active transfer window for Chelsea. Apart from Gallagher, Thiago Silva left London after 4 years at the club. The next high-profile man out of the door looks to be Chalobah. Valued at between £25m and £30m, Chelsea are still struggling to generate any interest in the centre-back.
Interest in Chalobah is not absent. Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Manchester United are some of the teams who are interested in the defender. But the player is keen to remain at Stamford Bridge which could make things difficult.
Chalobah’s treatment has left many upset, with one calling it ‘disgusting’. But Chelsea executives feel this process is necessary for the future of the club. Similarly, there are players in the squad who could follow his footsteps. Juventus are looking Raheem Sterling. Former Villa midfielder, Carney Chukwuemeka, has also been linked with Barcelona. This shows how the club look forward to offload out of favour players in Maresca’s vision and create a more organised and motivated team moving forward.
Crystal Palace Show Interest in Chalobah
Newcastle have made a significant offer for Marc Guehi. Consequently, Palace have turned their attention to Chalobah to replace the Euro 2024 star. Should Chelsea recall Guehi, Palace will weigh up several options to plug the void, with Chalobah as their main target.
Newcastle’s pursuit of Guehi, valued at around £65million, has prompted Palace to prepare for his potential departure. Chalobah’s availability, given his situation at Chelsea, has caught Palace’s attention. A switch to Selhurst Park would also see Chalobah remain in London which would also ensure
Chalobah is one of several defensive options Palace is monitoring. Wolfsburg defender, Maxence Lacroix, would be an alternative to the Englishman. Chelsea and Palace are looking for a swap deal, and in case Guehi moves to the Tyneside, then the Eagles would sign Chalobah using their sale proceeds.
The news is indicative of wider movements in the transfer market, which demonstrate that clubs must remain agile as they transition between their current roster and new potential signings. Chalobah’s exit would not only help the Blues to comply with PSR but also make way for new blood.
Chalobah will most likely be looking forward to start afresh and establish himself elsewhere. Meanwhile, for Chelsea, it is just one of those usual dealings they conduct to shape an ideal squad.
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