Trevoh Chalobah fears he’s being forced out of Chelsea as he vows to make sure transfer is right for him
TREVOH CHALOBAH feels he is being forced out of Chelsea after being left out of their American tour.
Chelsea are keen to sell the academy graduate this summer and made his standing in the squad very clear by leaving the defender out of their travelling party.
The Blues flew into California on Monday night ahead of their first pre-season friendly against Wrexham on Tuesday night.
Chalobah, 25, had been training with new boss Enzo Maresca at Cobham at the start of pre-season, but has been deemed surplus to requirements.
Having joined the club at the age of nine, Chalobah’s sale would give Chelsea more financial flexibility than any other defender as the fee could be put on the books as pure profit.
Chalobah is happy at Chelsea and has four years left on his deal but has plenty of admirers in the Premier League and is keen not to rush a decision on a new club should he leave.
Nottingham Forest have previously bid for the defender, while West Ham have expressed interest in the past and held talks over a move in January.
However, having signed Max Kilman the Hammers are not currently discussing a move for Chalobah.
Crystal Palace have expressed an interest in the defender given there is plenty of interest in England star and former Blues man Marc Guehi, who could leave Selhurst Park this summer.
The former England Under-21 would prefer a move to a club involved in European football.
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Maresca made the ruthless decision to axe the homegrown star given the Blues’ are well stocked at the back.
Centre backs Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong have all travelled to California for the pre-season tour.
Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has remained at Cobham after a minor injury but is expected to join his teammates Stateside at some stage.
The Serbian’s position as first choice is under threat as Maresca looks to add a goalkeeper who is adept with the ball at their feet – with Villarreal’s Filip Jorgensen a target.
Chelsea's US tour party
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, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia.
Midfielders: 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.
Rested: Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer.
Reported injured: Petrovic
Left out: Trevoh Chalobah, Alfie Gilchrist, Malang Sarr, Cesare Casadei, Leo Castledine, Deivid Washington, Diego Moreira, Omari Kellyman, Caleb Wiley, Tino Anjorin, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mason Burstow, David Datro Fofana, Bashir Humphreys, Romelu Lukaku, Alex Matos, Gabriel Slonina, Harvey Vale, Dujuan Richards, Kiano Dyer, Billy Gee, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Zak Sturge, Jimi Tauriainen, Travis Akomeah, Ato Ampah, Somto Boniface, Luke Campbell, Brodi Hughes, Harrison McMahon, Donnell McNeilly, Leo Cardoso, Max Merrick, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Richard Olise, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Frankie Runham, Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny, Zain Silcott-Duberry, Ronnie Stutter, Shaun Wade, Kaiden Wilson.