Enzo Maresca admits he is “sad” about the decision to omit Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea’s squad for their pre-season tour of the United States.
The Blues named a 28-man squad for their trip to America but opted to leave the academy graduate at home.
Standard Sport understands the defender wants to fight for his place in the squad this season but would be looking for European football should he decide to leave Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been open to selling the 25-year-old this summer and it is though his price tag stands at around £25m. He has four years to run on his contract.
Fulham and Crystal Palace both hold a long-term interest in Chalobah, while Manchester United have also monitored his situation.
New summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo could make his debut in America, while Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana all offer options in central defence, leaving Chalobah out of the picture.
Teenage Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong has also been taken on tour, with new head coach Maresca keen to have a close look at the 18-year-old.
Speaking at his first press conference as Blues boss, Maresca said of Chalobah: “First of all, from my point of view, it’s always sad to leave players out, that can be out of a pre-season, or can be out of the squad or out of the first eleven because in the end they all work for the same target, that is to be part of the same team.
“The Trevoh situation for me is quite clear, we have Axel there, we have Tosin Adarabioyo there, we have Wes Fofana who in these two weeks has worked very good and is finally back, we have some very young profiles like Josh Acheampong who is doing fantastic.
“It’s a sad decision but we have to take the decision.”
Chelsea play Wrexham in California during the early hours of Thursday morning (UK time) before games against Celtic, Club America, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
