Thomas Tuchel has told Chelsea not to sell academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah amid reported loan interest from Spanish club Valencia, according to Goal.
As it stands, a first-team promotion seems unlikely for the 22-year-old.
Tuchel has been impressed by his performances in the back three throughout pre-season, but he still has plenty of more experienced options at his disposal.
However, the one thing that prevents Chalobah from claiming a spot in the first-team squad, Goal claims, is the club’s transfer pursuit of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.
The report further added that the Blues are still planning to sell Kurt Zouma for between £20-30million as well as sending Chalobah on loan to make space for the Kounde.
Fortunately for Chalobah, his effort during pre-season might not be in vain.
Tuchel has reportedly asked the club not to offload him on a permanent deal and is “strongly considering” promoting the centre-back next summer.
But first, Chalobah will likely have to continue his progress at a loan club. Valencia are reportedly interested in signing him on a season-long loan deal.
The former England U-21 star spent last season on loan in France with Lorient and did quite well, so adapting to a new country should not be an issue for him.
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