Chelsea banish three players from training in bid to force transfers

Chelsea have banished Trevoh Chalobah from first-team training and prevented him from using any of their facilities alongside Romelu Lukaku and Armando Broja as the club attempts to sell the three players this summer.

After a strong end to the 2023/24 campaign, defender Chalobah was left out of the Blues' pre-season squad for their tour of the United States.

New head coach Enzo Maresca soon revealed the 25-year-old had not been brought along due to the presence of other centre-backs including Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana. The likes of Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile are also options in an overstuffed squad.

The Telegraph have now revealed Chalobah is training with Chelsea's development squad and being kept away from the first-team utilities until he agrees a transfer away from the club.

The defender is training with the club's youngsters alongside Broja and Lukaku, with a decision made to keep them focused on their futures away from Stamford Bridge rather than give them a 'false impression of their prospects' by being present with the first team.

The west London side previously threatened midfielder Conor Gallagher with the same treatment as he mulled over a move to Atletico Madrid. That deal now looks set to go through after the England international was snapped at the Spanish side's stadium.

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are both said to be interested in Chalobah. The Villans have had to deal with interest in Diego Carlos from Fulham in recent days and may target the Chelsea defender as a potential replacement, while Palace could lose Marc Guehi to Newcastle United following recent negotiations.

Chalobah made 13 Premier League appearances last season including ten starts, fighting his way into the lineup under Mauricio Pochettino and helping his side gather late momentum to finish sixth.

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