Chelsea chose not to include Trevoh Chalobah in their pre-season squad for the tour of America. Despite returning to the team and playing a key role between February and May under Mauricio Pochettino last season. The travelling party left out the 25-year-old.
The defender has been told to stay home as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
The club suggests having a heavy roster of center-backs with Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, and Tosin Adarabioyo all leaving.
Additionally, Josh Acheampong would also be joining the trip as the club want to take a “good look” at him.
Over the last year, Chalobah has frequently been linked with leaving Stamford Bridge.
In 2023, Bayern Munich were reportedly keen on him but a deal failed to materialise. The Englishman has been regularly touted as a potential signing for West Ham and Fulham. Crystal Palace have reportedly had an approach for Chalobah turned down by the Blues.
Chalobah’s life at Stamford Bridge
Though he was arguably Chelsea’s best defender for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign. The club’s exit stance has remained with it clear they want to sell him for pure profit. The 25-year-old sees his contract expire in 2028 after signing a bumper new deal 18 months ago. Yet despite that, Chelsea are open to accepting offers in the region of £25million.
Chalobah was at Chelsea since he was nine years old, signed a new contract with Blues two years ago running until 2028.
Asked about Chalobah’s situation in his first pre-season press conference in Santa Clara on Tuesday evening, Maresca said: ‘First of all, from my point of view, it’s always sad to leave players out. They can be out of a pre-season, or can be out of the squad or out of the first eleven because in the end they all work for the same target, that is to be part of the same team.
Maresca also stressed that he was unable to highlight any potential errors made during Mauricio Pochettino’s reign. That could have contributed to Chelsea’s multiple injury problems last season.
Stamford Bridge no longer requires the 24-year-old defender, who is available for an estimated £25m.
But he also has the security of four years left on his contract and is waiting for either a club competing for European qualification in the Premier League or with Champions League football overseas.
Chalobah rejected a move to Nottingham Forest last summer after Chelsea had accepted a £25m bid.
Other members waiting in for Chelsea
Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Preston are reportedly interested in signing Alfie Gilchrist from the squad.
Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and midfielder Omari Kellyman did not travel because of injury, while Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez remain on holiday after reaching the latter stages of Euro 2024 and Copa America.
In his first news conference, which is scheduled to take place overnight UK time, Enzo Maresca is expected to be asked about the alleged racism posted by Fernandez on social media.
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