Fulham have now made their first move to sign Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah, and the defender’s stance on a Stamford Bridge exit has been revealed.
Chalobah is currently with England at the World Cup, having been called-up by Thomas Tuchel following Tino Livramento’s withdrawal from the squad due to injury.
Since then, Tuchel has also lost Reece James and potentially Jarrell Quansah, in what has turned into an injury crisis at right-back.
“A classic ankle twist and he is in pain,” the England boss said about Quansah’s injury. “He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice. Naturally of course [I am worried about the right-back situation] – we have another injury in the position.
“It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah but it is our job to find solutions and we will do.”
With injuries mounting up, Chalobah could be in line to earn his second cap for the Three Lions, but at club level, his future at Chelsea remains very much up in the air.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Fulham are already well-stocked at centre-back, with the likes of Calvin Bassey, Issa Diop, Joachim Andersen and Jorge Cuenca at their disposal. However, the Chelsea defender is also capable of playing at right-back, and Timothy Castagne’s contract is set to expire in a year’s time. |
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Finances |
The Cottagers may have to shell out £34.5m to sign the one-cap England international, with their west London rivals setting a lofty asking price. The 26-year-old could also be due a pay rise, considering he earns £50,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge, making him one of the lower earners. |
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Insight |
It is perhaps no surprise Tuchel called the Cobham academy graduate up to replace Livramento, given that he described him as “fantastic” during his time at Stamford Bridge. Since then, he has become a key player for the Blues, making 34 Premier League appearances last season. |
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Impact |
It would be strange for Fulham to spend in excess of £30m on a back-up player, so the likes of Bassey, Diop and Andersen may have to fight for their place in the side if Chalobah arrives, |
Fulham ramping up pursuit of Chalobah
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Fulham have now made contact regarding a deal for Chalobah, with their rivals willing to cash-in if they receive £34.5m.
The Englishman is open to leaving his boyhood club this summer, with the prospect of joining Como of great appeal, given that the Italian side are set to play in the Champions League next season.
Trevoh Chalobah could be ideal for Alvaro Arbeloa
Fulham are widely reported to be closing in on Albaro Arbeloa as Marco Silva’s successor, and analyst Ander Cotorro has explained what style of play the former Real Madrid manager could implement.
Speaking about Arbeloa’s Real Madrid Castilla side, Cotorro said: “It was a team that, beyond its aggression and desire to defend high up the pitch, tried to create things through combination play and passing.”
The system was likened to Barcelona’s, which suggests the Spaniard will need to have players comfortable in possession of the ball at Craven Cottage, and Chalobah averaged 68.7 accurate passes per 90 in the Premier League last season, which was more than any other Chelsea player.
The Fulham target ranked second for clearances per 90 too, averaging 5.8, which suggests he is also solid from a defensive point of view, so it is exciting news they have been making moves to secure his signature.
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