Talk about a show of faith.
Yes, Trevoh Chalobah had impressed during pre-season, catching the eye against Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. A Super Cup clash with Villarreal, however, was an altogether different test for a 22-year-old who had never made a senior appearance in Chelsea colours before last night’s trip to Dublin.
Chalobah, who spent last season on loan at Lorient in France, looked certain to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge this summer, emerging as a target for Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Watford.
According to the Express & Star, West Brom were closing in on a deal for the one-time Huddersfield Town youngster in mid-July too.
At the time, it was believed Chelsea were willing to let the England U21 international leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer.
Four weeks later, Chalobah was cradling the Super Cup trophy lovingly in his arms, marking a professional debut in Chelsea blue with an outstanding performance against the reigning Europa League champions.
Football really is a funny old game.
West Brom deal surely dead in the water after Chalobah stars for Chelsea
And it was a performance that looked all the more impressive when you consider Chalobah was playing out of position against Villarreal, a box-to-box midfield playmaker thriving on the right-hand side of Thomas Tuchel’s back three.
Chalobah’s reading of the game was superb throughout, making a number of vital interceptions as Villarreal dominated the second half and pushed for a winner.
And although it was Kepa Arrizabalaga’s face splashed across the back pages this morning – the much-maligned goalkeeper coming off the bench to become Chelsea’s penalty shoot-out hero – those 120 minutes in Dublin felt like the making of a man who looked set for a cut-price Championship switch just a few weeks ago.
“He was very strong. He stepped again up,” Tuchel told Goal.
“He never lost face and stayed calm and was physical enough to play 120 minutes. It was quite impressive.”
And Tuchel was quick to answer questions about Chalobah’s future at Chelsea.
The German tactician said: “He forced his way into our thinking. Let’s see how it goes. We still have some days to decide his personal future but, in the moment, he shows his value to the team.”
Here’s what some Chelsea fans on Twitter had to say about the performance of Chalobah last night:
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