Trevoh Chalobah faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge again, but the Cobham graduate should be the least of Chelsea’s concerns this summer.
Chelsea need to offload as many as five players before they begin to consider fielding offers for Trevoh Chalobah. The 26-year-old defender faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge again as Xabi Alonso prepares to give the Blues backline a well overdue makeover.
Chalobah first established himself as a key player for Chelsea when Thomas Tuchel was in the dugout. After catching the eye on loan at Lorient, the Cobham graduate was integrated into the first team, where he became a staple in the now-England boss’ back-three.
During a difficult period, on and off the pitch, Chalobah stayed at the club while others jumped ship. Then, when Enzo Maresca replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the summer of 2024, the Three Lions international was ostracised from the squad.
Chalobah was left little to no choice but to join Crystal Palace on loan. Ironically, with the former Blues boss eager to bolster his backline, the deal was terminated in January.
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Starting seven of the last 10 games in the Premier League that season, he helped Chelsea qualify for the Champions League, as well as win the Conference League and the Club World Cup. Despite his best efforts, Chalobah again faced an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
This time, the Englishman survived the mass exodus and featured more than he had ever done so in a single season for the Blues. Although Chelsea underperformed by some margin, failing to qualify for either of UEFA’s three club competitions, Chalobah wasn’t entirely to blame.
Not only did the sporting leadership team fail to sign a world-class centre-half, which remains on the agenda to this day, but they also chose not to sign a replacement for Levi Colwill, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the start of pre-season.
Chalobah embraced the challenge. He prided himself on being the most reliable centre-half at the club, playing more minutes than anyone else in his position.
Again, despite his valiant contributions, Chalobah again faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, but he shouldn’t be the first out of the door.
So, with that being said, football.london has looked at five players Chelsea should sell before they begin to think about offloading the out-of-favour defender.
Wesley Fofana
Fofana, whom the Blues signed from Leicester City for about £70million in August 2022, showed glimpses of promise throughout the season, but he fell short of expectations. In what was essentially his first injury-free season, barring a concussion and a couple of minor knocks, the Frenchman didn’t perform at the level his price tag commands.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Tosin, whom Chelsea signed from Fulham on a free transfer last summer, was another who didn’t perform at the level required. Not to be rude, but the downward trajectory of the season can be traced back to when the 28-year-old made a couple of costly mistakes during the defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road at the start of December.
As a squad player, he’s not entirely to blame for the implosion that followed, but he was given minutes on the pitch that should’ve otherwise been handed to Josh Acheampong. It also doesn’t help that he’s been misprofiled as an ‘experienced’ player.
Benoit Badiashile
Like Tosin, Badiashile was another defender who essentially took minutes from the likes of Josh Acheampong. More generally, since he arrived from Monaco in January 2023 for £35m, the 25-year-old defender has struggled to stay fit, making him one of the most unreliable centre-backs at Stamford Bridge.
Axel Disasi
Disasi needs to leave for his own sake. Although West Ham were relegated from the Premier League last season, the 28-year-old defender made a great impression while on loan; he’d be a good addition to any low-blow-loving manager in Europe’s top-five leagues.
Aaron Anselmino
Like Disasi, Anselmino needs to find a club that he can call home. The 21-year-old defender began the season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, where he made quite the impression despite only a handful of appearances.
Then, in January, Chelsea recalled him before sending him out on loan to Strasbourg. Anselmino continued to suffer from a couple of muscle injuries, so he only ended up making three appearances.
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