Trevoh Chalobah: The next Cobham star to see an unfortunate exit?
Trevoh Chalobah is one of the many players who made it into the Chelsea first team after coming through the academy system – he has been exceptional when given a chance to play for the Blues. Despite being a professional on the field, Chalobah was linked to a move away from the team for nearly the whole transfer window.
He was linked with moves to teams like Bayern Munich and Nottingham Forest, but nothing materialised; which means that he will be at the club at least until the next transfer window.
Several sources have suggested that the player refused a move away to Nottingham Forest on the deadline day and this has forced the club to decide to keep him out of action until they find a new club for him.
Not many Chelsea fans have accepted this decision, as Trevoh Chalobah has been one of the fan favorites to come out of Cobham – his versatility in the backline has helped Chelsea several times in the past few seasons.
After a successful stint in the academy, Chalobah had to prove himself by going on several loan spells before making it into the first team. He went to Championship teams like Ipswich Town and Huddersfield Town on one-year loan spells and then also went to French side Lorient, before getting a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea team in 2021.
Trevoh Chalobah had a sensational start to his first-team career, after he lost his first game with the club only in 2022, where Brighton handed the London Cub a 4-1 loss. Although Chalobah was not a regular starter, he showed great composure and quality when given playing time.
Selling Trevoh Chalobah could set a worrying precedent
Trevoh Chalobah is one player who loves the club and would fight for the badge under all circumstances. Given the situation at the club, the English defender could have easily made a move away from the team and gone on to a club where he would get more minutes.
A reunion with Thomas Tuchel was on the cards, as Bayern were reportedly interested in acquiring his services. However, despite all the links, Chalobah decided to stay at the club and now that has apparently led to a backlash from the management.
Trevoh Chalobah’s exit would only add to the list of academy graduates who have been forced to move out due to similar situations. Although Chelsea are able to make huge profits on these talents, this treatment of academy graduates could affect them in the long term.
Undoubtedly, the Blues can attract some of the best talent in the world, but players coming through the youth system is certainly a blessing for any club and they must be treated in the right way. If Chalobah is to leave the club in the next transfer window, he will be the fifth Chelsea academy graduate to depart in the span of a year.
Why selling Trevoh Chalobah is a wrong decision tactically?
Trevoh Chalobah has proven to be one of the most dependable players for the club. He is often used as a substitute but is also useful when an injury situation arises.
At the start of the season, Chelsea reported that French defender Wesley Fofana had suffered a devastating ACL injury that would keep him out for a significant amount of time, and this led to the team signing another French defender – Axel Disasi – for a hefty fee of 39 million British pounds. Although Disasi has been decent, he doesn’t seem to be a massive upgrade from Chalobah, and selling Chalobah could leave the club with a depth issue in case another injury occurs to anyone in the backline.
Not only is Chalobah a proven Premier League defender, but he can also play right back and offer a lot of creativity from the defence. This is one of the reasons Nottingham Forest came in to sign him on deadline day, but the player refused to sign for them.
Steve Cooper has coached the player in the England Youth teams and could come back for him in the next transfer window. If he is to be refused a place in the Chelsea team till then, Chalobah could be forced to think about a move away from his boyhood club as he is just 24 and still has a long career ahead.
