According to The Pitch Prospect, Chelsea have exercised their recall option and brought back Trevoh Chalobah from Crystal Palace.
The Blues are currently in a mini-injury crisis with centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile currently sidelined.
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Meanwhile, Axel Disasi faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge after a subpar season so far.
The Frenchman was a notable omission from Enzo Maresca’s squad that earned a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday night, raising further questions about his role in the team.
The ex-Monaco star is believed to be a target for Juventus ahead of a possible winter move to Turin.
Academy graduate Josh Acheampong started alongside Levi Colwill against the Cherries, but Maresca will have a new option to choose from when they face Wolves next Monday.
That’s because Chelsea made the decision to bring back Chalobah, who has been a mainstay in Palace’s back line this season.
It is understood Chelsea director Paul Winstanley spoke to Chalobah personally before the club’s decision to explain that he would be part of future plans.
Since recovering from injury at the start of the season, the 25-year-old has started 12 of the Eagles’ last 14 Premier League games.
The Pitch Prospect also understands that Marc Guehi – who has been linked with a transfer back to Chelsea this month – is now expected to stay at Selhurst Park until at least the summer.
Chalobah was considered out of his depth last summer despite playing a key role under Mauricio Pochettino last season.
The Blues signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer but the ex-Fulham star finds himself behind 18-year-old Acheampong in Maresca’s pecking order.
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And now Adarabioyo’s first-team opportunities are likely to be even more limited due to the returning Chalobah.
While Palace fans will be disappointed at his recall, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan and former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy insist it is the nature of the game.
The Pitch Prospect co-host Jordan said: “It’s Chelsea’s player. If you wanted the player to be your player, maybe you could have bought him.”
“Or make the loan less stringent and pay a little more money for it.” [loan fee].
“I remember this happening to me [ex-Birmingham chiefs] Karren Brady and David Sullivan with goalkeeper Nico Vaesen.
“On the eve of [2004] Play-off final, an important part of our team: “We will get him back.”
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“What? We’re going to a play-off final!” We paid a little more money and got promoted to the Premier League.
“It’s the nature of the beast, it’s Chelsea’s player, it’s Chelsea’s asset, they can do whatever they want, their job is not to help Crystal Palace and why should they do that?”
Asked by Jim White if Chalobah’s early exit was a blow to Palace, Murphy remarked: “It’s a blow, he did well.”
“He looks fit, he looks strong, he enjoys football, he was part of the back three.”
“[Maxence] Lacroix, Guehi and Chalobah were really good, they helped Palace get back on track, that’s a big blow.”