Nathaniel Chalobah has benefited greatly from Chelsea’s lack of depth in midfield this season.
Chalobah, who couldn’t get a game for Napoli on loan last year, has played more minutes for the Blues this term than anyone would have expected. Antonio Conte likes Chalobah’s intensity and physicality, which has pushed Cesc Fabregas down the pecking order. Chalobah also gives a little more dynamism than Jon Obi Mikel, and so has jumped head of him in the queue too.
The problem is that now those two players are being linked with an exit, and Chelsea are being linked with big names to replace them. If Chelsea do indeed sign Steven N’Zonzi or Geoffrey Kondogbia, that would surely be the end of Chalobah’s run at Chelsea. It would certainly push him back in the pecking order if Chelsea spend £20m+ on a player in his position.
It’s a tough call for Chelsea fans, who will want to see their youth players given a chance, but also want to see the club bring in top reinforcements.
