AliousCrystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner revealed that a “contractual issue” prevented Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah from featuring in Palace’s FA Cup third-round victory over Stockport on Sunday.
Chalobah, who was present at Selhurst Park and had been expected to start against the League One side, was withdrawn from the lineup at the last moment.
Speculation about Chalobah’s future at Palace has intensified, with Chelsea reportedly considering recalling the 25-year-old due to their defensive injury crisis.
Chalobah’s loan agreement with Palace includes a recall clause, and this uncertainty around his status appears to have influenced the decision not to play him.
“It’s not easy to explain,” Glasner admitted. “It was a contractual issue – we had to take care.
I’m not a lawyer, but I was told that for this round, it was better for him not to play. I only found out yesterday evening.
It was an internal decision; there was no contact from Chelsea.”
Despite the off-field concerns, Palace secured a 1-0 win thanks to an early goal from Eberechi Eze, progressing to the fourth round of the competition.
Glasner remains optimistic about Chalobah’s future at the club, stating, “I know he wants to stay, and we want him to stay, but there are still 19 days left in the transfer window. I want this squad to stay together.”
He also confirmed that Chalobah is expected to be available for Palace’s upcoming Premier League match against Leicester City on Wednesday.
However, with Chelsea monitoring their injury situation, the possibility of Chalobah returning to Stamford Bridge continues to loom over his season-long loan spell at Selhurst Park.
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