Chelsea have activated their option to recall defender Trevoh Chalobah from his season-long loan at Crystal Palace, just five months after he was placed in the club's 'bomb squad'. The 25-year-old has made 14 appearances for the Eagles this campaign.
The Blues have moved to bring Chalobah back to Stamford Bridge with Wesley Fofana currently sidelined through injury. Chalobah will not be available for Crystal Palace's Premier League match against Leicester City on Wednesday evening.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had been coy about the possibility of recalling Chalobah earlier this month, stating it would be disrespectful to discuss a player on loan at another club. 'I said already last press conference, he is a Palace player and I think it is a lack of respect,' Maresca said.
The recall marks a remarkable turnaround for Chalobah, who was left out of Chelsea's pre-season tour in the United States and told he had no future at the club. He was instructed to train away from the senior set-up as the Blues preferred other defenders.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted there was uncertainty over Chalobah's future, with the defender also omitted from the Eagles' FA Cup third round tie against Stockport County due to a 'contractual issue'. 'It's a tricky situation,' Glasner said. 'Chelsea has the possibility to call him back from loan. There's a little bit of uncertainty at the moment.'
