- 15 minutes ago
Chelsea complete 'impossible' transfer to solve defensive crisis
Robin Bairner
- 15 Jan 2025 05:40 CST
- 3 min read
Chelsea have activated Trevoh Chalobah’s recall clause from Crystal Palace in a bid to solve their current defensive crisis.
Enzo Maresca’s side, who extended their winless run in the Premier League to five matches on Tuesday as they were held to a 2-2 Stamford Bridge draw against Bournemouth, face being without Wesley Fofana until the end of the season while Benoit Badiashile is missing, too.
Chelsea have been getting by with Josh Acheampong figuring alongside fellow academy graduate Levi Colwill in the middle of their rearguard in recent matches, and now fellow Cobham alumnus Chalobah is set to join them.
Current ETV
Trevoh Chalobah
D (CR)
C. Palace
Trevoh Chalobah
D (CR)
C. Palace
ETV Range
€12.3M - €20.5M
David Ornstein reports that the Blues have activated a clause in their loan agreement with Crystal Palace that will bring the 25-year-old defender back to Stamford Bridge prematurely.
Chalobah will not be involved in the Eagles’ clash against Leicester City on Wednesday in the Premier League, which will serve as a major blow to Oliver Glasner’s side, who had used him 14 times since a summer transfer.
It is stressed that the strong relationship between Chelsea and Palace helped to smooth through an agreement to break the deal.
Ben Jacobs reports that Chalobah’s recall means that Axel Disasi can now be sold by the Blues, with Juventus and Newcastle both interested in the France international.
Crystal Palace on Chalobah return
Glasner spoke on Tuesday about the deal, indicating that he wanted to Chalobah to remain with this club.
“It’s a tricky situation. I want to always be honest. Chelsea has the possibility to call him back from loan,” the Crystal Palace boss said.
“There’s a little bit of uncertainty at the moment: will they do it, when will they do it? We need clarity, he needs clarity.
“He wants to stay here, but it’s a decision Chelsea can take. We are passengers; we are not the pilot who is flying the plane.
“My wish and Trevoh Chalobah’s wish is that he stays with us. Chelsea loaned him to us to give him minutes, to improve his game. This is what he did. But I think he’s not finished. It’s a one-year loan deal. But we’ll see.”
Chelsea have been considering a move for Chalobah since the beginning of January, despite football transfer news reporter Fabrizio Romano branding the deal ‘impossible’.
