Former Chelsea manager keen to lure current Blues defender to new club

A new era started at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as Graham Potter took charge of his first game as Chelsea manager, although things didn’t quite go to plan for the Englishman. 

Chelsea drew 1-1 with RB Salzburg in their second Champions League group match, leaving them bottom of Group E ahead of back-to-back games against Italian champions AC Milan.

Potter’s first line up as Blues boss also raised some eyebrows, with the former Brighton man opting to select Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva – who have a combined age of 70 – at centre-back.

Both Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly were left on the bench, and could only watch on as Salzburg equalised fifteen minutes from time.

Another defender that remained an unused substitute on Wednesday was Trevoh Chalobah, who has made just one appearance so far this term.

Chalobah, 23, established himself as a member of the first team squad last season, and many had expected the Englishman to replace Antonio Rudiger, who departed over the summer.

Chalobah has made just one appearance so far this season

Fofana and Koulibaly both arrived, though, and Chalobah has struggled for game time this season as a result.

He may, though, be offered an opportunity to end his nightmare start to the season in the coming months.

As per Football Transfers, the defender is likely to leave Stamford Bridge on loan in January, and former Blues boss Jose Mourinho is interested in signing him for current club Roma.

The report even goes as far as suggesting that the Italian side are the ‘frontrunners’ to land the promising young defender.

If Chalobah were to move to the Italian capital, he would join up with ex-Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham and former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, while Fikayo Tomori is also currently plying his trade in Serie A, with AC Milan.

Chalobah made 30 appearances for Chelsea last season, after making his debut in the penalty shootout victory over Spanish side Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup.

It is suggested that the player will be given the chance to impress his new manager, who held individual meetings with each player during his first week in charge of the club.

However, it remains likely that the player will depart on loan at the earliest opportunity and Aston Villa, who showed an interest over the summer, could also return if he is made available.