Trevoh Chalobah is set to stay at Chelsea this campaign after being told he is part of Thomas Tuchel’s first-team plans, according to reports.
The young defender has been at Stamford Bridge since the age of eight but he feared he would never break into the first team after spending the last three years out on loan.
Earlier in the month, Chalobah was being tipped for a fourth consecutive loan move, with Spanish side Valencia interested in securing his services.
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But the England U-21 star impressed in Chelsea’s UEFA Super Cup win over Villarreal and started and scored in the club’s opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
The Athletic claim Tuchel has been so impressed by Chalobah that he spoke to him at Cobham on Thursday to tell him he will be an important member of his first-team squad this campaign.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are also set to offer him a new contract after his impressive recent displays. The 22-year-old has two years left on his contract and the London club will now open contract talks with the player, after talks with Tuchel
Speaking after Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over London rivals Palace, Tuchel hinted he was happy to keep Chalobah at the club for the 2021-22 season.
‘Of course, we’re looking for the best in the world, for example when we buy Romelu Lukaku,’ Tuchel said. ‘Of course, we look for the best talents in the world when we buy Kai Havertz, and they are fantastic players from abroad.
‘We have some of the best players in the world in our squad and still there are places for guys from the academy.
‘In the end he [Chalobah] plays alongside Reece James and Mason Mount, this is how it has to be. I love it, the spectators love it.
‘This is how it should be that we have a good mix and they still have a place to fight their way through. ‘This is what Chelsea academy stands for, for top quality. And we will never stop pushing.’
Chalobah was overcome with emotion after scoring his first goal for the Blues and said after the match: ‘When I scored, I didn’t know what to do.
‘I dropped to my knees. I was crying. I couldn’t believe when the ball went in. I didn’t know it went in until the crowd cheered. It was a surreal moment.’
