- 4 hours ago
Chelsea told NOT to recall in-form loan star
Robin Bairner
- 4 Jan 2025 12:42 CST
- 3 min read
Chelsea find themselves in a grip of an injury crisis that could force the club into the January transfer window, but they have been told not to take the easy option and recall a player from loan who could solve their problems.
Manager Enzo Maresca admitted on Friday that Wesley Fofana could miss the rest of the season due to injury, and with Benoit Badiashile also laid up on a medium-term basis the Blues were forced to start with Josh Acheampong at centre-back against Crystal Palace.
The Selhurst Park side, who pinched a 1-1 draw with the Blues thanks to a late Jean-Philippe Mateta strike, have a potential option for Chelsea in the form of Trevoh Chalobah, who could be recalled this month.
STATS
Trevoh Chalobah
D (CR)
C. Palace
Trevoh Chalobah
D (CR)
C. Palace
Palace boss Oliver Glasner, though, has advised against them taking up that opportunity.
Speaking after the sides shared the points in the Premier League, he said: “I could see that there was Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo on the bench. I don’t know if you need another one if you play with two. I was just reading that Aaron Anselmino comes back so they have five.
“I don’t know what they’re planning. Trevoh is doing very well for us.”
Chalobah, who was placed in Chelsea’s infamous ‘Bomb Squad’ by Maresca in the summer, was unable to play against his parent club on Saturday but has been a standout for Palace in recent weeks, notably scoring in victories against Brighton and Southampton over the course of the last month.
Chelsea boss on transfer plans
Maresca dropped a hint after the same game that Chelsea could be drawn into the transfer market for a centre-back.
“Even if we don't decide to buy players or sell players, we already knew Josh was good enough. But with Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana's injuries, we will see if something can happen,” he said.
Chelsea are likely to be busy in the January transfer window, with several players linked with moves away from the club, including Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei and Christopher Nkunku among those who could be on their way out of Stamford Bridge in the weeks ahead.
