Chris Sutton says Chelsea need to be “ruthless” in transfer decision towards Crystal Palace defender

EXCLUSIVE
BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Former Chelsea striker and Premier League winner Chris Sutton says the Blues need to be “ruthless” in their decision-making ahead of a potential loan recall of Crystal Palace defender Trevoh Chalobah.

Enzo Maresca’s side have the option to recall the 25-year-old, who joined the Eagles on a season-long loan in the summer window, this January.

Chelsea have limited options at the back, with Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile both suffering injuries. Ex-Leicester defender Fofana could be out for the rest of the season.

Josh Acheampong, 19, is a right-back by trade but filled in at centre-back for his first Premier League start in the 1-1 draw with Palace on Saturday.

Chalobah was unable to feature in the derby against his parent club. He has made 13 Premier League appearances for Palace, forming a key part of the back three alongside Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix.

Chalobah has scored three times, including in the 3-1 win at Brighton, during his Palace loan spell.

Speaking to the South London Press, Sutton said: “It’s an interesting one.

“From his perspective, going to Palace and getting game time has been really important. But it’s a situation where Maresca and Chelsea have to be ruthless.

“If they are short in that area, and they do look to be, then it’s an obvious one. The fact he has gone out and got more Premier League experience is good for him.

“He’s performed well at Palace. The back three have been an integral part of them progressing and moving in the right direction.

“That seems to be a bit of a no-brainer.”

After talk of the west Londoners being ready to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title, Maresca’s side are winless in their last four league outings and lost back-to-back matches to Fulham and Ipswich in the process.

The Blues are fourth in the league and within touching distance of being leapfrogged by Newcastle and Manchester City in the Champions League spots.

Sutton said: “I was one of those earlier on in the season, when Maresca was playing down Chelsea’s title hopes, who said: ‘They’re there on merit. Can they continue that?’

“All teams have a blip and bumps in the road throughout the season. This looks to be Chelsea’s one.

“It’s about whether they can recover. They have had a few disappointing results and they will be hoping they can bounce back.

“It looks to be a tall order to win the Premier League. They are still ahead of where most people thought they would be at this stage of the season.

“Did I think Chelsea would win the Premier League at the start of the season? No. Did I think they would get a Champions League spot? Possibly.

“From my own personal experience at Blackburn Rovers, when we won the league in 1994-95, Jack Walker said he planned to win it next season.

“When you’re showing that consistency, it’s a case of why not? You win the Premier League when you can win it.

“Everybody is looking for Maresca to progress the squad and improve the team, but you can put a time limit on how long that can be.

“It’s not an easy thing to do to go on these big run of games and to keep winning. It’s probably more to do with the teams they have dropped points to.

“Ipswich was a really sore one. To be in front against Crystal Palace and to drop points. They lost at home to Fulham as well. It’s a blip. That’s all it is.”

Camberwell-born Jadon Sancho claimed an impressive assist at Palace last weekend, setting up Cole Palmer in the 14th minute after dribbling past Chris Richards and pulling the ball back across goal.

He joined Chelsea from Manchester United in the summer and has already racked up six goal contributions in 14 games.
Sancho joined the Blues initially on loan, but they are obliged to buy the ex-Borussia Dortmund winger at the end of the campaign.

“It was a great call from Maresca,” said Sutton.

“I would have been one of those people who would have looked back at that particular time and had question marks of Sancho and his attitude at Manchester United.

“There had been a very public falling out with Erik ten Hag. Maresca went for him and it led to the end of Raheem Sterling.

“It seemed to be the fit that Maresca wanted. I like the way he has been as forthright as he has been – he knows what he wants and what makes his team ticks.

“I think Sancho has come in and feels loved. That’s a really important thing. He was always a talented player.

“He has been like a number of players at Manchester United over the years where things haven’t gone well and the toys came out of the pram a little bit with him.

“He’s gone to Chelsea and really hit the ground running. It’s a good bit of business.”

Sutton was speaking on behalf of  NewBettingOffers.co.uk