Cesc Fabregas is planning an ambitious raid on Chelsea, targeting Trevoh Chalobah to strengthen Como's defense ahead of their Champions League debut. The former Blues midfielder, now managing the Serie A side, secured qualification for Europe's elite competition last season, but operates with a limited budget.
Defensive reinforcements a priority
Fabregas has identified central defense as a key area for improvement. Chalobah, 26, has become a reliable option for Chelsea after returning from a loan spell at Crystal Palace, where he made 14 appearances. An injury crisis at Stamford Bridge prompted his recall, and he established himself under former manager Enzo Maresca before Xabi Alonso took over in January.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea will not let Chalobah leave cheaply. There is currently a significant gap between Como's offer and Chelsea's valuation. No decision has been made on teammate Wesley Fofana, but Axel Disasi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, is expected to depart.
Chalobah's World Cup dream
Chalobah's focus is also on the World Cup after receiving a transformative text from England manager Thomas Tuchel. The defender was on holiday in New York, planning trips to the Monaco Grand Prix and Los Angeles, when Tuchel reached out. 'I was literally in Times Square. I went to the shops to get something. It was when I got back to my hotel I saw Thomas had texted,' Chalobah said. 'I didn't see the message for two hours. I wasn't on my phone, I was just walking around the city. Got back to the hotel, looked at my phone and he had asked if I could call him. My heart just dropped.'
Tuchel, who gave Chalobah his debuts at Chelsea and England and tried to sign him for Bayern Munich, called after Tino Livramento's calf injury opened a spot. The conversation began with Tuchel grinning and saying, 'I have got some good news for you.' Chalobah described himself as 'over the moon' to receive the call, which he had been manifesting. An old Twitter post from the 2018 World Cup final day resurfaced, showing an image of the trophy with the caption 'One day #Believe' and a prayer emoji. Chalobah recalled: 'I remember I was on loan at Ipswich that year and that was when the World Cup was in Russia. And it has always been a dream and that day I decided to tweet it. I obviously believed one day hopefully I'd make it.'
