Chelsea are reportedly already aware how they will handle decisions over two of their loan players during the January transfer window.
On Friday afternoon, head coach Enzo Maresca made the revelation that Wesley Fofana could potentially miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
With that issue being far more serious than initially anticipated, Chelsea likely face being without their star centre-back for a hectic second half of the campaign.
Earlier in the day, Chelsea announced that they had recalled Aaron Anselmino from his loan stint at Boca Juniors, albeit not with the intention of immediately introducing him to the first-team setup.
The likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Alfie Gilchrist are currently impressing on loan at Crystal Palace and Sheffield United, being provided with the regular football that they craved.
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What is the situation with Chalobah?
However, as per widespread reports, Chelsea are not in a position where they can recall Chalobah due to not inserting a mid-season break clause.
With Chelsea not being prepared to give Palace the option of purchasing the versatile academy graduate at the end of his stint at Selhurst Park, the Eagles hierarchy were seemingly not prepared to hand Chelsea a chance of cutting short the deal.
As a result of the transfer being completed during the final minutes of the summer transfer window, there was little room for negotiations on both parties, particularly when Chelsea wanted to bolster their position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations.
Chalobah - who is ineligible to play against his parent club when Palace and Chelsea face each other on Saturday - has made 14 starts in all competitions since his temporary switch.
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Is Gilchrist under consideration?
Meanwhile, Gilchrist has also benefitted greatly at Sheffield United, making a total of 22 starts and three substitute outings in all competitions.
The 21-year-old has largely been used at right-back - a position where Chelsea are not short of options - and it is claimed by the Daily Mail that no consideration is being given to a recall at this stage.
Bashir Humphreys is another option. The 21-year-old has made 15 starts and five substitute appearances all across the backline for an impressive Burnley rearguard, but it is unclear whether the England Under-21 international may return.
Darren Plant
