Chelsea have called Trevoh Chalobah back early from his loan at Crystal Palace, activating the option to do so as a response to defensive injuries.
Chalobah joined Palace on a season-long loan from Chelsea last summer, only for the club to recall him due to a defensive injury crisis — with Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile out. Head coach Enzo Maresca had been coy on whether Chalobah would return but had praised Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
“As I said in the last press conference already, he’s a Palace player and I think it is a lack of respect to discuss [about him],” Maresca added.
The 25-year-old, who played 14 times for Palace, is set to be a key player for Chelsea for the rest of the campaign. He could form a central defensive partnership with Levi Colwill, while academy graduate Josh Acheampong is still learning the ropes at senior level.
Chalobah, who had previous loan spells at Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town and French club Lorient, will not play in Palace’s game against Leicester City because his recall is immediate. Chelsea will be hoping that his return will help shore up their backline as they attempt a strong finish in the Premier League.
