Cesc Fabregas is plotting an ambitious move to sign Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah for Como, as the former Blues midfielder looks to strengthen his Serie A side ahead of their Champions League campaign.
Fabregas targets defensive reinforcements
Fabregas, who enhanced his managerial reputation by guiding Como to Champions League qualification last season, is working with a limited budget but has made defensive reinforcements a priority. Chalobah, 26, has been identified as a key target.
The Chelsea academy graduate appeared to have little future at Stamford Bridge when he was loaned to Crystal Palace 18 months ago, making just 14 appearances for the Eagles. However, an injury crisis prompted his recall, and he became a dependable starter under Enzo Maresca before the manager's departure in January.
Valuation gap remains
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, there is currently a significant gap between what Como are prepared to pay and Chelsea's valuation. Whether Chalobah will remain a permanent fixture under new boss Xabi Alonso is uncertain, but Chelsea will not let him leave cheaply.
Chalobah's teammate Axel Disasi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, is expected to depart. No decision has been made on Wesley Fofana.
Chalobah's World Cup call-up
Chalobah is also preparing to fulfil his World Cup dreams after receiving a transformative text from England manager Thomas Tuchel. The defender was on holiday in New York when he got the message.
'I was on holiday in New York already, just planning my holiday and not thinking about the World Cup,' Chalobah said. 'I was literally in Times Square. I went to the shops to get something. It was when I got back to my hotel I saw Thomas had texted. I didn't see the message for two hours. I wasn't on my phone, I was just walking around the city. Got back to the hotel, looked at my phone and he had asked if I could call him. My heart just dropped.'
Tuchel, who gave Chalobah his debut at Chelsea and England, texted after Tino Livramento's calf injury opened a spot. The call began with the grinning England boss saying 'I have got some good news for you', leaving the defender 'over the moon'.
An old Twitter post from the day of the 2018 World Cup final resurfaced, showing an image of the trophy with the caption 'One day #Believe' and a prayer emoji. Chalobah said: 'I remember I was on loan at Ipswich that year and that was when the World Cup was in Russia. And it has always been a dream and that day I decided to tweet it. I obviously believed one day hopefully I'd make it.'
