Trevoh Chalobah admitted he would be glued to the screen whenever Mason Mount and Reece James were playing for Chelsea during his loan spells.
As quoted by the 5th Stand, Chalobah revealed he absorbed and admired every single minute of his fellow Cobham graduate’s time on the field.
Change the channel, Trevoh
The young centre-back had to initially witness from a distance as two of his classmates were receiving A-stars at the Stamford Bridge school of excellency.
Mount and James both flew to fame during Frank Lampard’s first campaign in charge of Chelsea, with the pair pioneering the manager’s youth revolution.
They remained – and still are – a pivotal part of the project even when Thomas Tuchel replaced Lampard last January.
Meanwhile, Chalobah was taking on an entirely different challenge out on loan.
He represented Championship side Huddersfield Town in 2019/20, before joining Lorient the season after.
Despite both teams flirting with relegation, the experience he gained would’ve been invaluable.
But seeing those cut from the same cloth playing Champions League football probably hurt a little deep down inside.
Instead of letting this fester, however, Chalobah used James and Mount’s progression as an incentive to regain his place at Chelsea.
“That was my motivation. I watched all the Chelsea games when Mason and Reece were playing under Lampard,” he explained.
“I would rush home to watch the games. Seeing them play for Chelsea is massive.
“I played with them throughout all age groups and then I was seeing them play on television.
“Training with those two just bought back the days when I was training with them back in the academy days so yes, it made me feel relaxed.”
Walking the same path
Although it might seem Chalobah is a step behind in his development, both James and Mount had to wait their turn before becoming Chelsea regulars.
Mount spent two successive stints on loan at Vitesse Arnhem and Derby County ahead of his Blues breakthrough.
James donned a Wigan Athletic jersey for 12 months prior to staking a claim as one of the country’s best full-backs.
All three Englishmen are proof that being patient can pay off in football.
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