Chelsea ‘make Trevoh Chalobah transfer decision after surprise twist’
Chelsea are prepared to allow Trevoh Chalobah to leave the club again in the summer in an effort to raise money for further investment.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the Blues are planning to strengthen at the back.
Chalobah was recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace in January to add further depth to Enzo Maresca’s side, but has been inconsistent since his return.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 13 February that Chelsea are prioritising a move to sign a new centre-back amid interest in Nottingham Forest star Murillo.
However, there is also a feeling that any of the current options at the club could be moved on to make space for new additions in the squad.
Chalobah was initially allowed to leave Stamford Bridge on loan amid concerns that he would not suit Maresca’s style of play, and he is now viewed as a sellable asset.
Since his return to Chelsea, the 25-year-old has started three of their four Premier League games, picking up one win and two defeats.
Chelsea made ‘surprise’ Trevoh Chalobah recall decision in January
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 10 February that Chelsea submitted a bid for Murillo in January, but saw it rejected before he then signed a new contract at Forest.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted he was surprised when Chalobah was initially recalled and expects him to be replaced in the summer.
“To be honest I was surprised they recalled him to begin with,” he told Football Insider.
“I expect they’ll be looking to find a replacement for him in the summer when the window opens.
“In terms of who they’ll be looking at, there will be a few names on their list.
“Chalobah is a decent player, but I don’t think he’s top-quality.
“At a team like Crystal Palace, where he’s going to come in and do a job, he’s a stable centre-back who does what he needs to do.
“But if you’re heading up the table and you have ambitions of winning the league and other trophies, he’s not the type of defender that will do that for you.
“That’s where Chelsea are now, for me, they’re going to look and see how they can improve.
“They want to take that next step towards becoming title challengers, we know they need to strengthen at the back, so that’s going to be their plan.
“That might mean letting Chalobah go if there’s interest in him, because it’ll help to clear space in their squad and maybe raise money which would go towards a replacement.“
Enzo Maresca under pressure as Stamford Bridge crowd turn
Chelsea’s defensive issues have cost them dearly in recent weeks, leading to suggestions of a potential overhaul when the transfer window opens.
However, Maresca may not be the man to lead that overhaul as he faced building pressure on his position as manager following a torrid run of form.
Brown told Football Insider on 18 February that the trigger-happy Blues owners will begin to ask questions if results do not improve quickly.
Sections of the fanbase have also begun to turn on the manager, with Chelsea having won just three of their last 11 games across all competitions.
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