“You have to wonder” – Chelsea’s “best defender” proves sporting directors wrong again | OneFootball

We’ve already written a little bit about Levi Colwill’s good (but ultimately futile) performance at the back for Chelsea yesterday. But he wasn’t the only Blues defender who impressed.

His centre back partner Trevoh Chalobah was also good, adapting well to playing in what was basically a back 3 with no wing backs for cover. The player ratings online agree with that view.

Chelsea’s best defender given great credit

Trevoh Chalobah playing for Chelsea. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“Chelsea’s best defender again. Made a big tackle to stop Barnes from getting a free shot away and had plenty of clearances to make as Chelsea clung on at times, Tom Coley wrote of Chalobah for Football.London.

“Perhaps Chelsea’s standout defender on a day to forget in the North East, giving his head and foot in there and disrupting Newcastle attacks,” said Dom Smith for the Evening Standard.

“You have to wonder why Chelsea ever let Chalobah leave on loan to Crystal Palace,” Joshua Hall wrote for the Sun.

“Since returning he has become a crucial part of their back line and he was one of few players who could hold their head up high in the first half after making some crucial blocks and vital tackles.”

“He also looked comfortable on the ball at times in the second spell before he was replaced by Malo Gusto as Maresca tried to change things up.”

Chalobah keeps proving critics – and sporting directors – wrong

What more can we say? We said at the time it was a bad idea to loan Chalobah out, and we weren’t at all surprised to see him recalled in January, and then eventually restored to the team.

Year after year we try to dump him, and every time the result is the same – by the time we reach the end of the season, he’s proved himself to be our best centre back.