Chelsea enjoyed one of the best years in the club’s history in 2021 after winning the Champions League.

They beat Premier League rivals Manchester City 1-0 on that famous night in Porto to claim their second Champions League trophy. At that point, the future looked very bright for the Blues.

Chelsea players were over the moon. But at the same time, one of their loanees was slightly worried afterwards.

Trevoh Chalobah thought long-term future at Chelsea was unlikely after Champions League success

Trevoh Chalobah enjoyed a successful loan spell at French club Lorient back in the 2020/21 season. Nevertheless, the defender still had doubts about whether he could break into Chelsea’s first-team squad and have a long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

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Thomas Tuchel’s men had just become European champions and had three of the best central defenders in the Premier League in Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. As he did during the days of Antonio Conte, Cesar Azpilicueta was also playing as a central defender in a back three. It is not a surprise Chalobah had doubts about his long-term future.

When asked if he felt he had a future at Chelsea, Chalobah told The Athletic: “Chelsea had just won the Champions League and I thought it would be difficult.

“Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger were there. I thought, ‘If I’m meant to play for Chelsea, it will happen.'”

Chelsea sold Chalobah to Como in the summer, but the 27-year-old was integrated into the first team ahead of the 2021/22 season and went on to make 151 appearances. Rudiger, Christensen and Silva all ended up leaving west London before Chalobah, so things clearly went smoother than expected, even if the England international had to go out on loan again.

Josh Acheampong’s ceiling is higher than Trevoh Chalobah’s

Not everyone wanted to see Chalobah leave Chelsea. Chalobah came through the club’s academy after all.

However, his exit has paved the way for Josh Acheampong to receive more starting opportunities, a player who has a much higher ceiling. Acheampong is only 20 but is already a member of Chelsea’s first-team squad. He has even started four of the Blues’ seven Premier League games so far this season, including last weekend’s 2-0 win over Everton.

Chalobah was nowhere near the senior group when he was Acheampong’s age. Acheampong is even showing up some of his more senior teammates.

According to WhoScored, he is making 2.3 tackles per game in the current Premier League campaign, which is the highest average in Chelsea’s squad. The England Under-21 international has replaced Wesley Fofana, a £70m centre-back, in the team these last couple of matches.

With the trajectory that Acheampong is on, there is no doubt that he will surpass Chalobah if that has not already happened.