Chelsea are now open to using ‘impressive’ academy graduate to solve big issue Enzo Maresca has

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Chelsea are thinking about different ways to address their mini injury crisis in defence.

Enzo Maresca currently has Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi available to him.

Josh Acheampong is an option, too, with the 18-year-old starting in central defence in Chelsea‘s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

However, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are both injured, with the former expected to be out for quite some time. Fofana thinks he will be back before the season ends, though, despite Maresca claiming otherwise.

• READ MORE: The five loan players Chelsea could recall in January transfer window include ‘standout’ seven-goal midfielder

Chelsea considering recalling Trevoh Chalobah from Crystal Palace

One possible solution to Chelsea’s injury problems at the back could be Trevoh Chalobah, who is currently on loan at Palace.

According to The Athletic, recalling Chalobah to help out in defence is one option that the club are currently considering.

It would be an amazing development after Chelsea froze the 25-year-old out of their first-team squad last summer.

With Chalobah being a graduate of Chelsea’s famous academy, it was something a lot of Blues supporters were not happy to see.

Two ways Enzo Maresca could use Trevoh Chalobah if Chelsea recall him

All things considered, bringing Chalobah back to Stamford Bridge could make a lot of sense.

He would be an option to come into central defence alongside Colwill while Fofana remains out.

Being right-footed, there would be much more balance compared to when Maresca has tried Badiashile there, which has just not worked.

When Jamie Redknapp analysed Badiashile’s performance in Chelsea’s 4-3 win against Tottenham Hotspur last month, he said: “Badiashile didn’t look happy on the right-hand side.”

Chalobah can also play at right-back, which has also been a bit of a problem position for Chelsea at times this season, largely because of Reece James’ injury issues.

The fact that Chalobah has experience playing in midfield means he may be able to invert into the centre of the pitch as well.

Overall, Chalobah is a very good footballer, while his character has also been praised in the past. “He’s an impressive character, very focused on his football,” his former manager Graham Potter was quoted as saying by Chelsea’s official website in 2022.

If Maresca feels that his squad needs another central defender, then recalling Chalobah seems a bit of a no-brainer.