HUGE Chelsea transfer hint dropped by manager

Chelsea’s first January transfer may have just been hinted at by Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.

The Blues are expected to be active during the transfer window to sign at least a centre-back because of injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, and rather than make an expensive new signing, they have been tipped to be considering the recall of Trevoh Chalobah from Palace.

Chalobah, 25, has played 80 matches for Chelsea after coming through the academy and has equipped himself ably in Glasner’s starting XI. Although Palace have not shone defensively this season, the on-loan Stamford Bridge star has undoubtedly played a role in stabilising them defensively.

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He has not, however, played either of the club’s last couple of games. He did not feature against Chelsea in the 1-1 draw on 4 January and surprisingly sat out the FA Cup clash against Stockport County on Sunday.

Glasner’s comments after that encounter point to Chelsea potentially taking the easy option to recall him during January.

Speaking after the match, the Crystal Palace boss said: “Trevoh Chalobah didn’t play today for contractual issues. I know he wants and we want him to stay But we still have 19 days so anything can happen.

“I want Chalobah to stay and I know Marc Guehi wants to stay.”

Why are Glasner’s Chalobah comments important?

Had Chalobah featured, he would be cup-tied for the FA Cup should he return to Chelsea, which points to the Blues at least very seriously considering recalling the player.

It may be that he is available for Palace when they travel to Doncaster Rovers in the fourth round of the competition, which takes place on the weekend of 8-9 February, the first after the transfer window shuts. The Selhurst Park side were able to use him in the Carabao Cup, after all.

Guehi, meanwhile, has also been linked with a January transfer to Chelsea, although the finances that would be involved to take the England centre-back to Stamford Bridge at this juncture make a deal unlikely.