Chelsea have rejected moves from a number of clubs for midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah.
England’s Nathaniel Chalobah
According to The Independent, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion both had enquiries rejected for Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah last month.
Chalobah, 21, has been on the books at Chelsea since signing from West London neighbours Fulham back in 2005, but has remarkably yet to make even one first-team appearance for the Blues.
England’s Nathaniel Chalobah celebrates scoring with Calum Chambers
During a superb loan spell at Watford during the 2012-13 season, Chalobah appeared to be a star of the future, impressing in a midfield role in front of the back four, and many pegged him as a future first-team player for Chelsea.
However, further loan moves to Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Reading and Napoli have failed to reap much success for the Sierra Leone-born midfielder, whose career has stalled at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
Much has been made of the fact that Chalobah has made 88 appearances for England at various youth levels but has yet to play for Chelsea – but he could be in line for some football this season after new Blues boss Antonio Conte snubbed moves from Premier League rivals for him.
The Independent report that Chelsea received loan offers from Leicester City, Napoli and Sevilla but rejected them all, and snubbed enquiries from both Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion too.
At nearly 22, Chalobah needs to be playing regular first-team football if he is to live up to his potential, and he certainly could have earned that at Sunderland, where David Moyes has few quality options in the middle of the park.
Nathaniel Chalobah celebrates
West Brom’s veteran presence of Darren Fletcher and Claudio Yacob could have given Chalobah the chance to learn from experienced pros, but Chelsea rejected both clubs in their attempts to land the midfielder.
It remains to be seen just how much football Chalobah plays under Conte, but if he remains on the fringes, Sunderland and West Brom would be wise to try again in January and offer the youngster some regular playing time.
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