There was an interesting development for Chelsea fans this week as manager Enzo Maresca continued his preparations for the upcoming clash on Monday with Wolverhampton Wanderers, as the decision was taken to recall centre half Trevoh Chalobah from his season long loan spell with Crystal Palace.
After impressing out on loan following his promotion as a youth graduate, it had long been believed that the 25 year old’s time at Stamford Bridge was now up given their current approach to the transfer market, and having formerly been a member of their bomb squad he was seeing his stock rise at Selhurst Park as one of Oliver Glasner’s first names in his starting XI.
However, without much notice Chelsea informed them of the decision to bring him back following injuries to both Wesley Fofana and Benoit Basiashile leaving them a little light in defensive options, but understandably Palace are a little bit irked with the decision as it came on the eve of their game against Leicester City and he was scheduled to play.
Glasner himself commented in the aftermath that the player had wanted to remain with the Eagles, but the decision was ‘contractual’ and it was out of Palace’s and Chalobah’s hands. Neutrals in the world of football will have some sympathy here as in his four and a half months at the club, he had made 14 starts and was obviously a regular in the squad.
Even more so when you consider the fact that although he has apparently been given a promise of game time on his return by sporting director Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s long term view of his future at the club is apparently unchanged, so presumably once they are restocked with alternative options at the back Chalobah will find himself back in the bomb squad, possibly training with the Under 21 set up, and back on the transfer list come the summer at the end of the season – a position he has occupied for the last three successive windows.
Complicating matters further were strong speculation rumour mill claims that Chelsea were incredibly interested in bringing fellow Academy graduate, and 22 capped England international defender Marc Guehi, back from Selhurst Park this window as they now see him as having a long term future at Stamford Bridge following his sale back in 2021.
You would think that this recall has to scupper any negotiations that may have been ongoing on that front, as Palace simply would not be in the mood to deal with them again this month.
Many will wonder why a player swap arrangement had not been the way forward here, and others will be watching on come Monday to see what, if any, part he plays.