Trevoh Chalobah is set to complete his move to Como from Chelsea on a deal worth €35 million including bonuses, beating off competition from Inter Milan and Crystal Palace. The English centre-back will reunite with fellow ex-Chelsea stalwart Cesc Fabregas, who currently manages the ambitious Serie A outfit.
The 27-year-old defender has accepted Como's project after weeks of speculation surrounding his Stamford Bridge future. Chalobah spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Crystal Palace, where he made 14 appearances and netted three goals before Chelsea recalled him midway through the campaign. The Londoners' decision to bring him back opened the door for Como to accelerate negotiations and secure his signature ahead of other interested parties.
Why Como Won the Race
Inter had long tracked Chalobah but ultimately withdrew from the pursuit, unwilling to meet Chelsea's asking price. Palace, meanwhile, hoped to retain the defender in the Premier League after a productive loan spell, yet the Italian side's compelling vision proved decisive. Como's appeal lies partly in the opportunity to work under Fabregas, a Chelsea academy product himself who spent eight years at Stamford Bridge before joining Arsenal. Although the two briefly overlapped in west London during 2018, they never featured together competitively and now have a chance to build something fresh in Lombardy.
Como president Mirwan Suwarso revealed an unconventional recruitment philosophy, disclosing that he contacted a rival Italian executive to discuss the transfer market and potential player swaps. "If you want him, take him, we'll step back. But if you buy him, give me one of yours," Suwarso told the other president, exemplifying the club's pragmatic approach to Serie A business.
Chalobah's Fresh Start
The move represents a significant turning point for Chalobah, who has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter at Chelsea despite his reliability when selected. Last season, he made 47 appearances across all competitions and scored three goals as the club finished tenth in the Premier League. At Como, he will anchor a defence that lifted the club to fourth place and Champions League qualification—a historic achievement that positions the Lariani as a rising Serie A force under Fabregas's management.
Chalobah's contract at Stamford Bridge runs until summer 2028 with an optional additional year, yet the path to regular first-team football has become clearer in Italy than in England. Como's aggressive recruitment and European ambitions suggest the defender has made a calculated choice to revitalize his career.
