Oliver Glasner claims Trevoh Chalobah ‘wants to stay’ at Crystal Palace amid increasing rumours he will be recalled to Chelsea in January.
Having been exiled from the Chelsea first-team last summer, Chalobah joined Palace on loan where he has formed a great defensive partnership alongside Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi, himself a transfer target for Chelsea.
Eagles manager Glasner hinted at the start of the month that he would like to sign the Englishman permanently, with the Blues expected to accept an offer of around £25million.
However, reports now claim that Chelsea are considering recalling Chalobah from his loan after losing centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile to injury.
Enzo Maresca has neither confirmed or denied that the west-Londoners are planning on doing this but speculation intensified on Sunday after Palace’s FA Cup win over Stockport County.
Ahead of the game, Glasner stated that Chalobah would start but when the teamsheets were revealed the 25-year-old was nowhere to be seen.
Discussing the player’s absence in his post-match press conference, Glasner revealed: ‘It’s not too easy to explain, but it’s a contractual issue we had to take care, and this is why he didn’t play.’
Asked whether Chalobah was not allowed to play in the FA Cup, he replied: ‘I’m not a lawyer, but I was told that it’s in this round. Let’s say it’s not that clear, to be honest. In this round, it’s better not to play.’
Glasner went onto add that he was only informed on Saturday night that Chalobah was unavailable for selection, while Maresca claims he knows nothing of the matter.
The comments might imply Chelsea are on the verge of triggering his recall clause, but the Palace boss is adamant that will not happen and has boldly stated that both Chalobah and Guehi wish to remain at Selhurst Park.
‘We still have [a lot of time] to go in the transfer window. Like always, everything can happen,’ the Austrian added.
‘But when you ask me, I want that we stay together with this squad. I know Trevoh wants to stay, I know Marc wants to stay. I know we want, and so I think yes.
‘[Chalobah being unavailable], of course, it’s not what you wish, but as a manager, you have to deal with challenges the whole year.
‘For me, it’s forgotten because I have to focus on Leicester City and on the players, and I expect Trevoh being available and playing at Leicester.’
Palace, with or without Chalobah, travel to the King Power on Wednesday night, while Chelsea host high-flying Bournemouth on Tuesday.
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