Chelsea have activated a clause to recall Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Crystal Palace.
Chalobah joined Palace on a season-long deal that included an option for Chelsea to bring him back at the midway point.
They have now triggered that mechanism and the 25-year-old defender will return to Stamford Bridge with immediate effect.
It means he will not be available for Palace when they travel to Leicester City on Wednesday, having made 14 appearances since moving there in August.
Chalobah’s impressive form — and availability to help a back line depleted by injury — means he is expected to play an important role under Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca in the second half of the campaign.
A good relationship between all parties helped facilitate the transfer originally and there is appreciation at Chelsea for Palace’s handling of the matter.
Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are currently sidelined with injuries with Josh Acheampong, the academy graduate who recently signed a new contract with the club, starting Tuesday night’s draw with Bournemouth alongside Levi Colwill.
Chelsea are next in action against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.
‘An unexpected opportunity to show his value’
By Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey
This is the latest twist in a turbulent few months for Trevoh Chalobah, who had every reason to believe his Chelsea career was over when he joined Palace on a season-long loan in August.
Chelsea made it abundantly clear throughout last summer that he would not be in head coach Enzo Maresca’s plans for the season, omitting him from the club’s preseason tour squad, stripping him of his squad number and assigning him to train with the so-called “bomb squad”.
Chalobah responded by making a positive impact at Palace, and shifting circumstances at Stamford Bridge have now granted him an unexpected opportunity to re-establish his value to Chelsea in the injury absence of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
Where does this leave Palace?
By Crystal Palace correspondent Matt Woosnam
Chalobah’s recall is not ideal for Palace, but it is not a disaster. He has performed well across his 12 Premier League appearances and become an important part of the defence, but Palace do have options at the back.
Chadi Riad’s return from injury against Stockport County in the FA Cup third round victory on Sunday was welcome, while Nathaniel Clyne can cover the right sided centre-back role in an emergency as he did at times last season.
Chris Richards has plenty of experience now in the Premier League and he will be a good option for manager Oliver Glasner to call upon.
This also leaves Palace with a second loan spot available, giving them more freedom to strengthen areas of the squad which are more pressing. That could, potentially, be either wing-back position or an attacking player, but in that regard, there is a small positive to take from an otherwise frustrating and disappointing situation.
(Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
