CLEVER TREVOH REAPS REWARDS
New deal ready for Chalobah
TREVOH CHALOBAH is close to signing a new contract at Chelsea after a spectacular start to the season.
The versatile Chalobah, 22, says watching Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham establish themselves in the Stamford Bridge first team over the past 18 months has inspired him to follow in their footsteps.
Chalobah, equally at home as a defender or defensive midfielder, was on loan at French side Lorient last year.
And it was there where he caught the eye of Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, when Lorient played Tuchel’s Paris Saint-Germain and Chalobah shone as a substitute – even though his side lost 2-0.
That stint followed other loan spells at Ipswich and Huddersfield, and for a while it looked like Chalobah might have been lost in the endless merry-goround of loan spells on which Chelsea youngsters often find themselves.
But Tuchel was impressed by him in pre-season, ruled out another loan move – and he has made nine appearances for the club this season, six of them in the Premier League.
Now talks are close to being finalised on a three-year deal for the latest Chelsea academy product to break through, with his current contract due to run out in 2023.
Chalobah has started five league games under Tuchel out of nine this term, scored twice, and – after the 7-0 romp against Norwich on Saturday which kept Chelsea at the top of the Premier League – is expected to keep his place in the side for the visit of Southampton tonight in the Carabao Cup.
Chalobah said: “Having played with those guys for so many years, watching them gave me the motivation to know I can be there as well, to work even harder – and that gave me the chance.
“With Ipswich and Huddersfield it was a big test to go from under-23s football into Championship football. At Lorient I knew if I did well, it would be a big step. I always knew I could play at a high level.
“I adapted quickly and playing against Champions League clubs, against PSG, was an unbelievable experience.”
Tuchel is expected to rotate his squad tonight, with Denmark defender Andreas Christensen set to return.
The Chelsea manager pointed to club legends like John Terry and Marcel Desailly that Chalobah can look to to make his name at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel said: “There are big examples of what it takes to be a legend in defence.”
I knew I could play at this level