Last month, we covered claims from Italy that Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah has appeared on AS Roma’s radar.
Since the start of September, Chris Smalling has been sidelined with an injury and his refusal to use ‘painkillers or anti-inflammatory therapies’ has reportedly irked José Mourinho.
Gazzetta dello Sport say he won’t be available at least until the next international break, and the situation around the 33-year-old has seen the Serie A side look for a new centre-back in January.
If the Giallorossi were to sell Smalling, perhaps to a club in Saudi Arabia, then the funds from his sale would be invested on bringing in his replacement. If not, they will look to sign a defender on a loan deal, probably with an option to buy.
For the latter, Roma have several profiles in their list and ‘the first’ name is that of the Chelsea player. He hasn’t made an appearance this season for the west London club.
The 24-year-old has a deal lasting until 2028 and the newspaper points out Roma have ‘excellent’ ties with Chelsea, which they could try to take advantage of for a deal to sign the centre-back.
Chalobah can also be used on the right side of defence and as a defensive midfielder. Therefore, his addition to the Roma squad in January could give Mourinho a ‘range of different solutions’.