Academy graduate’s reward: Chalobah aims to be key for Chelsea

Even as an opposition fan, it is hard not to root for someone like Chalobah. The Blues let go of Fikayo Tomori just a few years ago, and he has grown into one of the best centerbacks in the world. Everyone in the academy system should be looking at the Freetown, Sierra Leone-born man as an example of what is possible if you take the opportunity in front of you. Chelsea even tried multiple times to move him out of favor for no good reason, but when that chance did come up against AC Milan at Stamford Bridge, he put together an outing in the back that convinced Graham Potter to give him consistent minutes.

Earlier on in the season, Chalobah was one of the key contributors to the Blues’ six-game clean sheet streak, coming into the lineup for Fofana, and filling the gap seamlessly. He has played 90 minutes in 10 out of the last 11 matches for Chelsea in all competitions, and to have a player this young locked up until at least 2028 assures the right side of the defense along with Reece James is going to be one to keep your eyes on for years to come. The former personifies the words, “never give up”. He demonstrated to the club that with the right mentality, and a determination to help the team in any way you can, success is bound to follow right behind you.

There are few players on this CFC roster at the moment that deserve an extension more than the defender for what he has done to make it at the senior level. When the World Cup concludes, the Blues are going to be under a lot of pressure to succeed right out of the gate, and with the fact that he is not participating in the festivities in Qatar, there is no question, Chalobah is going to be ready to go from the opening whistle against Bournemouth on December 27.