Cobham graduate Trevoh Chalobah showed his versatility once again when he excelled in the right-back position in our draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday and Frank Lampard believes the sky is the limit for the young defender.
Chalobah is close to finishing his second full season in the Chelsea side after multiple years out on loan. After struggling for game time at the beginning of the campaign, the 23-year-old has now started five of our last seven matches in all competitions.
After his latest top performance, Lampard was pressed on what he believes is Chalobah’s best position after starting him in several areas of the pitch since he returned to the dug-out over a month ago.
‘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,’ Lampard said.
‘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.’
Lampard admits he tried to sign the defender when managing elsewhere, however whether that was at Derby County or Everton in his previous managerial stints was not revealed.
‘I was already looking forward to working with Trevoh because I didn’t get that chance when I was here before. I have tried to get him on loan when I have been working elsewhere. So now it has been nice and I appreciate what a high-level player he is. He is only going to get better,’ Lampard said.
His confidence on the ball and ability to accept it in tight areas was a standout characteristic in his game in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at the Bridge, and Lampard adds that he believes that has always been in his armoury.
‘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.’