Frank Lampard's assessment of Manchester United target Trevoh Chalobah will please Erik ten Hag and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The Blues' academy prospect is seemingly on his way out of Stamford Bridge, having been omitted from Enzo Maresca's squad for their pre-season tour of the United States. Despite impressing last season under Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues are reportedly keen to offload the versatile academy graduate, who could be snapped up for as low as £25million.
Chalobah, who has impressed in central defence, full-back and midfield, was highly regarded by both Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel. The latter handed him his Chelsea debut in 2021, while Pochettino leaned on Chalobah despite signing Axel Disasi the previous summer. However, it was Lampard who showered him with perhaps the highest praise he has received so far.
During his second stint at Chelsea, where he was brought in as interim boss after Graham Potter was sacked, Lampard was asked about Chalobah's displays. The Blues legend said: "He is such a selfless lad, that I don't think he would say 'I want to play in this position,' but maybe that will become apparent.
"He has played really well in a back three for the club when he first got into the team, has played well as a centre-back in a back-four and then right-back like he did on Saturday. The bigger picture is applying himself.
"Since I have come back [as caretaker manager] he has been a delight to train with every day. He comes in with enthusiasm and when you talk about the things you want, he tries to do them on the pitch which is a great thing. In my short period, you look at the games and the wins you can have with individual players, and I have been very happy."
The ex-Everton boss also added: "I appreciate what a high-level player he is. He is only going to get better. He has always had that. He has played as a No.6 on loan, at right centre-half where he steps into areas, and now he is showing it.
"In some things, you rely on the level of player to be able to step in, make crosses, and have the physical capacity. He has got it all. That just needs fitting into the way you play, and when a player can fill different roles for us, I think it is a real big plus."
Lampard's glowing endorsement suggests Chalobah is exactly what Ten Hag needs. Midfield and defence were massive areas of concern heading into the summer for the Red Devils, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Chalobah's adeptness in midfield and defence would be invaluable to Ten Hag. Moreover, the rumoured £25million transfer fee would be significantly less than United's other transfer targets Manuel Ugarte and Martin Zubimendi, who are both rumoured to be valued at around £50m.
After missing half of the season through injury, Chalobah played in all but one of the Blues' final 14 Premier League matches of the season. However, he has now tumbled further down the pecking order after Chelsea signed Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham on a free transfer. Chalobah still has four years left on his contract, which expires in 2028.