‘The only one that believed in me’: Trevoh Chalobah reveals which Chelsea teammate supported him on road to first-team

Trevoh Chalobah reveals which Chelsea teammate supported him on road to first-team

Trevoh Chalobah has recently revealed the advice he was given by Chelsea teammate Antonio Rudiger on his road to the first-team.

Chalobah has been on Chelsea’s books for many years now, but only recently became a regular in their senior side.

The centre-back would impress Thomas Tuchel in pre-season this past summer and has now become a key part of their backline.

Before his breakthrough, though, Chalobah would be supported by fellow defender Antonio Rudiger:

“When I was training with Conte that season I was in and out,” Chalobah said when discussing Rudiger’s support. “Toni’s from Sierra Leone as well, where I’m from, and when he first came my brother (Fulham midfielder Nathaniel) told him to look after him. I used to go round his house, we’d chill, and every time I came over for training he’d get hold of me and help me.

“He was the only one that season who believed in me and told me to keep going. The next year I went on loan and ended up going on loan three times, and after every season he kept telling me, ‘Keep going, keep going. I know you’re good enough to play for this football club’. He kept me going and was a massive part of it.”

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Then, when asked what particular advice Rudiger has given him, Chalobah replied: “Just believe in yourself, really. I knew I was good enough, I just needed a platform, and he said, ‘Your time will come, make sure you’re ready’. It came this season and I took it well.

“He’s very straightforward. He’ll tell me how it is and what I need to do. He’ll speak to me like a grown adult, not a little boy. For me that’s what’s helped — it’s kept me on my toes. You know how aggressive he is on the pitch, and that’s how I want to be on the pitch as well.”

Trevoh Chalobah credits Antonio Rudiger as the mentor for his Chelsea first-team breakthrough and says he hopes the Germany international agrees a new contract.

Full @TheAthleticUK story here 👇 #CFC https://t.co/eVyxGCR9Ww

— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) February 25, 2022