Thomas Tuchel has told Trevor Chalobah that he will not be leaving Chelsea on loan this summer, according to Goal, following rumoured interest from Watford and West Brom.
The Stamford Bridge boss has met the Blues product to discuss his future in west London, and stated that he wants him to stay. Tuchel intends to fully promote Chalobah into the Chelsea first-team this season after impressing the German over the club’s pre-season.
Valencia, Lille and Club Brugge had expressed their interest in signing the 22-year-old on loan if given permission to leave. The Express & Star also report West Brom boss Valerien Ismael backed a move to sign Chalobah, who L’Equipe add Watford wanted from Chelsea.
However, Chelsea bosses have no interest in loaning Chalobah to a West Brom or Watford for the 2021/22 season. Instead, they now intend to sit down with his representatives to discuss a new contract for the England U21 international.
Chalobah only has two years left to run on his current £12,000-per-week terms at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea now want to extend his commitment to the club after standing out in pre-season against Arsenal, Tottenham and Bournemouth.
But his UEFA Super Cup performance against Villarreal and opening day efforts at home to Crystal Palace – against whom he scored a screamer – proved to be the most convincing, with Chelsea now ready to ignore any interest from clubs like Watford and West Brom.
The Hornets and Baggies still had a chance to sign the midfielder-come-defender on loan before his display against Villarreal. Tuchel did not intend to keep Chalobah at Stamford Bridge this season with plans to sign Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
Chelsea stance on Chalobah no surprise after praise for Watford and West Brom target
Chelsea now deciding to keep Chalobah, rather than loan him to a Watford or West Brom, should be no surprise. Tuchel was full of praise for the Blues product after facing Crystal Palace and making his senior debut against Villarreal.
“Two fantastic games [against Villarreal and Palace] played now and played almost every minute in pre-season,” Tuchel said, via Eurosport. “He is a humble guy from the academy and was so, so good. He plays with so much confidence, so many good behaviours on the pitch, is a pretty perfect afternoon for him.”
And after getting a taste of key games for Chelsea, Chalobah may not have been as open to joining West Brom in the Championship or newly-promoted Watford for the season, either. Instead opting to stay put and push his way further into Tuchel’s plans at Stamford Bridge.
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