Chelsea set huge £40m asking price for Trevoh Chalobah following recall from Crystal Palace with Blues hopeful of keeping defender

Amid a growing defensive injury crisis, the Blues opted to recall the defender, rather than make any more signings, to bolster their options at the back. The hefty price tag also indicates that Chelsea do not wish to sell the defender and he is likely beyond the reach of Palace this January window, The Sun reports. Chelsea are without a win in five Premier League games and are searching desperately to halt this minor blip in their otherwise impressive season. Chalobah, capable of playing at both centre-half and right-back, will be hoping his strong form at Palace can continue at Stamford Bridge.

Before the season, Chalobah had been frozen out of Enzo Maresca's squad and forced to depart the club. He had been stripped of his number 14 shirt, given to Joao Felix, and few would have expected him to play for his boyhood club again. However, the 14 appearances made by the defender at Palace, coupled with the injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, may have offered a way back into the fold.

Trevoh Chalobah's older brother, Nathaniel, also came through the Chelsea academy but made just ten appearances for the first team. His breakthrough success also came on loan and he was part of the Watford side that made the Championship playoff final in 2013. He signed for the Hornets permanently in 2017 and earned a solitary cap for England. He now plays for Sheffield Wednesday.

Chalobah may be thrown straight into the mix for Chelsea against Wolves on Monday night. The Blues will be hoping he can plug the defensive holes that have plagued their recent form and help them earn a first Premier League win in over a month.