Trevoh Chalobah has recalled his earliest memories of Cesc Fabregas from their time together at Chelsea and says that the 'demanding' Spaniard was the key factor in his decision to join Como rather than Inter this summer.
Chalobah has recently completed a permanent transfer to join Champions League newcomers Como for a fee reported to be worth €30m plus add-ons. This is the end of his association with Chelsea, which lasted almost 20 years having joined the academy set-up in 2007.
Trevoh Chalobah joins Como from Chelsea (@como_1907)
Chalobah made his debut with Chelsea in the summer of 2021, but as an academy graduate, he had been regularly training with the first-team in-between his various loan spells for several years prior. Up until 2019, Como head coach Fabregas had also been a member of the Blues squad.
"I remember how demanding he was with the younger players. So yeah, I know him really well," Chalobah recalled in an interview with BBC Sport .
The England international explained that Fabregas was integral in his decision to join Como from Chelsea this summer. Reigning Serie A and Coppa Italia champions Inter had also expressed an interest earlier in the window.
"He was a massive part. He explained what he wanted, the way he sees the club and how he sees me fitting into this club and how I can help – having a lot of experience, physicality as well, the leadership.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Cesc Fabregas, Manager of Como Calcio , reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como Calcio at Anfield on August 16, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
"It wasn't an overnight thing, it was a very thoughtful and hard decision. But I thought, as I said, the trajectory of this club and the direction it's going in, and speaking to the manager, and wanting to be part of this story.
"I'm really excited for this new chapter in my beautiful story that I've had so far."
Speaking about his own character, Chalobah described himself as someone who is "very, very resilient."
"That's one of my attributes and one of my skills that I have, bouncing back from things and not allowing anything to get to me. Not just in football, in life, things are going to happen which are sometimes out of your hands and out of your control."
Chalobah had been in-and-out of the Chelsea first-team plans on several occasions under several different head coaches, including under Enzo Maresca, who had made it clear that Chalobah was not going to be part of the Chelsea first-team plans. That led to his joining Crystal Palace on loan, only to be recalled.
In the end, Chalobah racked up 151 competitive appearances for Chelsea including 105 in the Premier League.
"I always wanted to play for Chelsea no matter what the circumstances were," he said.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on February 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
"I always believed that I could do it. I'm grateful for every setback, every challenge, every trophy I've won. I've won a few things there and it's a club where I've improved and I've learned a lot.
"Stepping in as a young boy and then leaving as a man, I'm really happy with my career there. I will always keep the blue flag flying. I'll be supporting them, I'll be watching them this season and they'll always be in my heart."
Chalobah also received a late call-up to the England national team for the 2026 World Cup this summer, despite being left off Thomas Tuchel's initial 26-man squad list.
"The story's already written before I was born. He's the one that gave me my debut for Chelsea and he's the same manager that called me up for the World Cup last minute.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 01: Trevoh Chalobah #12 of England arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
"I think certain things are meant to happen and I'm grateful for that. Obviously all thanks to him and I'm really happy."
In the end, England's World Cup campaign ended with a semi-final defeat against back-to-back finalists Argentina before a 6-4 victory over France in the third-place play-off.
"No one wants to come third. You're just one step away from the final. It was definitely hard for the players. It did hit us for a couple of days. You know how hard the boys worked, how they believed that we could win it.
"And yeah, we were so close. But we learn from this and be proud of what we've done and achieved."
