- Chelsea head for pre-season without centre-back Trevoh Chalobah
- Academy graduate defender put up for sale despite impressive performances
- Fans left frustrated by controversial decision
Chelsea have made the unpopular decision to leave Trevoh Chalobah out of their pre-season squad for a tour of the United States.
As an academy graduate, the pure profit that could be raised from Chalobah's sale has seen him placed on the transfer market for the past 12 months, but the 25-year-old remained committed to the club and even enjoyed an outstanding run of form towards the end of last season after shaking off a long-term injury.
However, despite his impact on the squad and his popularity among fans, Chalobah did not make the final cut for Enzo Maresca's 28-player tour squad.
The Blues are well-stocked at centre-back, with new signing Tosin Adarabioyo joining a group which also includes Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi.
With so many senior options available, the decision has been made to leave Chalobah at home, with those in charge at Stamford Bridge sending a clear message that the versatile defender is no longer wanted.
The news has been widely slammed by Chelsea fans, who have accused the decision-makers of flagrant disrespect towards a loyal servant to the club.
While he was made available for transfer last season, Chalobah made the decision to hold firm. He has never hidden his desire to fight for his place at Chelsea and, having been handed a six-year contract as recently as November 2022, never felt the need to seriously explore his options elsewhere while former boss Mauricio Pochettino kept him around the starting lineup.
Now, however, The Guardian state Chalobah feels as though the decision to leave him out of the pre-season squad is a clear attempt to force him out of the club. He is now prepared to consider all the options available to him.
Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is another notable absentee but, despite recent rumours suggesting he could leave the club this summer, reports claim his omission from the squad is down to injury. Others, like Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are on holiday after international duty.
Chelsea's 2024/25 pre-season squad
Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Eddie Beach, Lucas Bergstrom
Defenders: Reece James, Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga
Midfielders: Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Andrey Santos
Forwards: Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Armando Broja, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Angelo
