Trevoh Chalobah reportedly has little interest in entertaining a transfer away from Chelsea.
After a number of loans away, Chalobah was able to cement himself in the first-team squad between 2021 and 2023, making a total of 63 appearances in all competitions.
Despite the influx of fresh faces at Stamford Bridge, that could have remained the case under Mauricio Pochettino, with the academy graduate regularly used during pre-season.
However, it soon became apparent that co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital were prepared to cash in on the 24-year-old in a bid to boost the club's FFP position.
Instead, Bayern Munich left it too late to complete a transfer before deadline day and Chalobah had no interest in making the switch to Nottingham Forest.
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Since then, Chalobah has dealt with a long-term hamstring injury, only recently returning to make his first three appearances of the season against Manchester City in the Premier League, Liverpool in the EFL Cup final and Leeds United in the FA Cup.
In the short term, his availability is crucial in a squad that is missing Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana, yet reports persist that Chalobah is simply gaining game time ahead of a likely summer exit.
Nevertheless, according to TEAMtalk, Chalobah does not want to be forced out of his boyhood club and intends to fight for his future.
Chalobah is allegedly of the opinion that he should be valued higher than he currently is, particularly having been provided with a contract until 2028 under the current owners.
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The stance threatens to cause issues for Chelsea further down the line with the West Londoners favouring the option of selling homegrown talent to maximise the positive impact that it has with their accounts.
There is already a situation developing with key midfielder Conor Gallagher, who has made 35 appearances this season yet is not being rewarded for his performances and commitment with a deal past 2025.
Armando Broja is another homegrown option that is available for transfer, but Chelsea were unable to attract any suitable offers in January and had to settle for a loan agreement with Fulham.
Reece James and Levi Colwill are other academy graduates in the senior ranks, albeit players who are deemed indispensable, with young defender Alfie Gilchrist the only other established such player in the first-team squad.
Chelsea may become increasingly reliant on cashing in on Ian Maatsen, who is currently impressing out on loan at Borussia Dortmund with the German side possessing an option to buy.
Darren Plant
