Chelsea defender reveals transfer truth after Enzo Maresca's brutal exile decision

Trevoh Chalobah has opened up about the difficulties of his exit from Chelsea in the summer - but insisted he was proud of how he handled his situation at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan at the end of August after being exiled from first-team training at Chelsea under the club's new head coach Enzo Maresca.

Chalobah made his debut under Thomas Tuchel in 2021 and made a further 79 appearances for the Blues, though the Cobham graduate described his acrimonious exit from Stamford Bridge - which involved being made to train with the club's development squad and stripped of a first-team squad number - as a "challenge".

However, the defender insisted that, despite his 17-year affiliation with the Blues, he refused to let the cut-throat nature of his departure affect him.

"It was hard. With football, these challenges have to come, you can't separate challenges and success," Chalobah told the BBC. "I've been through a lot growing up, I didn't let it affect me."

Chalobah added: "Everyone can conduct themselves when it's all good, but I think it's when things are not going your way you've got to be really strong up here. Coming in, training, doing my own bit. I waited potentially, didn't sulk, didn't feel sorry for myself. I just got myself ready - and now I'm here."

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Since signing for Crystal Palace, the ex-Ipswich Town and Lorient defender has made six appearances for Oliver Glasner's side - scoring one goal. Chalobah is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2028.