Tuchel DEMANDS reunion with unwanted Chelsea star

Cameron Smith

Updated: 25 Aug 2023 09:48 BST
5 min read

Thomas Tuchel and the Bayern Munich — © ProShots

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has emerged as a possible candidate to replace the outgoing Benjamin Pavard at Bayern Munich, according to reports in Germany.

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Pavard looks set to join Inter Milan this summer, snubbing interest from Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United in the process of signing for the San Siro club.

The France international is on the verge of joining Inter, but the deal has not yet been finalised and could fall through if the club’s are unable to reach a final agreement.

In any case, Bayern have begun lining up replacements, with Thomas Tuchel keen on signing a player he has previously worked with.

According to The Daily Mail, West Ham’s Thilo Kehrer is on his wish-list (the pair worked together at PSG), while Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that Chelsea star Chalobah is another candidate.

It has been revealed that he has been discussed internally as a possible transfer target, although the Bavarians feel as though a transfer may be difficult to finalise, as per Plettenberg.

Chelsea signed Axel Disasi as direct competition to Chalobah earlier this window, while Levi Colwill returned to the club following his successful loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, the potentially season-ending injury to Wesley Fofana, as well as shorter-term problems to Benoit Badiashile and Reece James means Chalobah could be likely to stay.

Tuchel wants Chalobah reunion

Chalobah was handed his senior Blues debut by current Bayern boss Tuchel in 2021 after impressing the German manager in pre-season.

The 24-year-old Englishman had spent the season prior on loan at FC Lorient in Ligue 1 and upon his return to Stamford Bridge, he was trusted with a starting berth on the right of Tuchel’s back three.

Chalobah, who is the younger brother of fellow Cobham graduate Nathaniel, scored on his Premier League debut in the 2021-22 campaign and went on to make 20 appearances in the top flight that year.

However, his role in the senior set-up in west London has always been that of a rotation piece, and Malo Gusto’s arrival as James’ back-up means Chalobah’s versatility to cover full-back isn’t so crucial.

Chalobah has not featured in Chelsea’s matchday squad for either of their two opening Premier League fixtures of the new season, but that is due to an injury he sustained against Fulham in pre-season.

Bayern also have Lukas Klostermann, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Mohamed Simakan and Lutsharel Geertruida in their sights as possible Pavard replacements, reports The Daily Mail.