CALIFORNIA DREAMING
Chelsea stars board flight to California for pre-season tour but fans all heartbroken by star’s absence
A number of surprise stars were left at home
CHELSEA have boarded their flight for their pre-season tour of the US - but fans have been left fuming by one player's absence.
That's after Trevoh Chalobah was left out of the team's pre-season squad.
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It is believed that Chalobah is being frozen out of the squad with the club looking to force him to move.
Chalobah, 25, is a product of Chelsea's Cobham academy who played well under Mauricio Pochettino last season and is understood to want to stay.
The player still has four years remaining on his contract, with it expiring in 2028.
But, according to Fabrizio Romano, the club believe the squad is "heavy" at the back, having signed Tosin Adarabioyo this summer and wanting to get a look at young talent Josh Acheampong.
The Blues already have Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi at centre-back too.
Chalobah attracted interest from Bayern Munich last year, with former manager Thomas Tuchel keen to link up with him again.
West Ham and Fulham have also been regularly connected to the Englishman.
Crystal Palace have reportedly had an approach for Chalobah turned down by the Blues.
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Chelsea are said to value him at £30million but fans are not happy with how he has been treated.
Reacting to the pictures of Chelsea boarding the plane ahead of the tour, which kicks off against Wrexham, one fan said: "Go back and get Trevoh."
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Another fan said: "But why?" alongside a photo of Chalobah looking sad.
A third fan said: "Justice for Chalobah."
Chelsea pre-season tour squad and notable absentees
Goalkeepers:
Robert Sanchez
Marcus Bettinelli
Eddie Beach
Lucas Bergstrom
Defenders:
Reece James
Malo Gusto
Josh Acheampong
Wesley Fofana
Axel Disasi
Tosin Adarabioyo
Benoit Badiashile
Levi Colwill
Ben Chilwell
Renato Veiga
Midfielders:
Carney Chukwuemeka
Romeo Lavia
Lesley Ugochukwu
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Andrey Santos
Forwards:
Nicolas Jackson
Christopher Nkunku
Raheem Sterling
Mykhailo Mudryk
Noni Madueke
Armando Broja
Tyrique George
Marc Guiu
Angelo
Notable absentees:
(Internationals)
Cole Palmer
Conor Gallagher
Enzo Fernandez
Marc Cucurella
(Left out ahead of possible loan/sale)
Romelu Lukaku
Omari Kellyman
Alfie Gilchrist
Bashir Humphreys
Cesare Casadei
David Datro Fofana
Deivid Washington
Djordje Petrovic
While a fourth said: "Why would you force out an academy player who’s been with us since u-9?"
A number of stars have joined Chalobah in missing the cut for the squad.
Other notable absentees include Romelu Lukaku, Omari Kellyman, Alfie Gilchrist, Bashir Humphreys, Cesare Casadei, David Datro Fofana, Deivid Washington and Djordje Petrovic.
The club are thought to be exploring deals away for these players, with loans possible.
Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella are all also missing after their teams went deep into the Euros and Copa America.
The club has been rocked by Fernandez singing a racist chant after winning the Copa America, with Chelsea opening an investigation into the matter.
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The chant, which contained racist and transphobic lines aimed at the French national team, was condemned by Enzo's team-mate and France international Wesley Fofana.
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He was joined by Datro-Fofana in criticising Enzo for the vile chant and it has left the Argentine's future at the club uncertain.
Several members of the Chelsea squad are also said to have unfollowed Fernandez on social media.
Chelsea's pre-season tour
Here is a look at Chelsea's full tour of the USA:
- Chelsea vs Wrexham - July 24 - Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
- Chelsea vs Celtic - July 27 - Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana
- Chelsea vs Club America - July 31 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
- Chelsea vs Manchester City - August 3 - Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
- Chelsea vs Real Madrid - August 6 - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Gotham FC vs Chelsea Women - August 19 - Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
- Chelsea Women vs Arsenal Women - August 25 - Audi Field, Washington DC