Trevoh Chalobah looks back on winning the FA Cup with Chelsea
- Trevoh Chalobah gives an insight into FA Cup Final experience
- Town midfielder on the moment he found out he was in the squad
- Feature first seen in Town’s match day programme; ‘The Terrier’
Huddersfield Town midfielder Trevoh Chalobah recollected the “dream” experience that he had during Chelsea’s 2018 Emirates FA Cup Final victory over Manchester United at Wembley.
In an exclusive interview that originally featured in Huddersfield Town’s official matchday programme, The Terrier, Trevoh shared his experience of being in the squad that saw his parent club overcome United 1-0 to lift its eighth FA Cup title under the Wembley Arch back in May 2018.
Just over 12 months later, the midfielder joined Huddersfield Town on loan from the Blues, and has since looked back on the whole experience, including the weeks running up to the game, in which he got to train with the Chelsea First Team for the first time.
“It was a huge opportunity for me getting to train with the First Team at Chelsea towards the back end of the 2017/18 season,” the midfielder said.
“It was fantastic to train with the players like Eden Hazard. As a young player, it was a great experience to train with them every day, pick their brains and learn from them. Those experiences can really help you improve as a player.
“Towards the end of that season, they had a few injuries at the time, so I kept coming in and out of training with them. Then, one day, the Manager (Antonio Conte) said I was going to be with them permanently, so I was with them until the end of that season.”
In the week leading up to the Final itself, the 20-year-old recalls the moment he was told he would be travelling to the home of English football with the First Team, along with the moment that would go on to eclipse that; finding out he was included in the matchday squad itself.
“We were training hard leading up to the Final. I remember just going to training, trying my best and then expecting to watch the game from the stands.
“A couple of days before the Final, I was told that I was travelling with the First Team; it was something I was really proud of. To be honest, I was a bit surprised, but I was excited.
“I’d been involved in finals with Chelsea’s youth teams, but this was something completely different. An experience that footballers dream about.
“So I travelled with the lads, still expecting to be the extra man, as we didn’t find out the substitutes until we got in the dressing room.
“I walked in, looked at the sheet and saw my name on the substitutes bench. I couldn’t believe it. To find out I was on the bench was probably the best feeling I’ve ever had in my career. I was so happy.
“I called my dad straight away and told him I was on the bench. To be involved in an FA Cup Final at Wembley, that was being shown live on TV, was just a dream.”
With warm-ups complete, it was game time. Trevoh recalls how he felt as his first experience of Wembley Stadium at senior level continued to develop.
“As I walked out on to the pitch before the game, in all honesty, I was really nervous,” he said.
“The atmosphere was really good, a full house, I remember looking round and seeing all the fans. I really had to prepare myself and try to put the nerves behind me, to be as confident as I could.
“It was my first time at Wembley, sitting on the bench and watching the players. You know, Hazard, Willian. I just had to get in the right mindset in case the Manager wanted me to come on – I felt ready.”
A first-half penalty from Eden Hazard was enough for the Blues to run out 1-0 winners on the day, meaning an eighth FA Cup title was going back to Stamford Bridge.
Despite not getting onto the pitch in the 90 minutes, there was no sparkle taken off a special day for Trevoh and his family.
“When the final whistle went, we all went running on the pitch. I was part of a team that had just won the FA Cup.
“I ran on, celebrating with the lads, we had photos holding the FA Cup and got our medals, which I have framed since. It was just an amazing feeling.
“Walking up the famous stairs at Wembley was incredible and then lifting the trophy; it’s a day I’ll never forget.
“I had family members there watching, I had some watching on the TV as well. They were really proud.
“Obviously, I didn’t expect all this to happen but things like that happen in football, so you just have to make sure you’re always training to your best and ready.
“That gave me a real taste of what I want to achieve in my career.”
