Crystal Palace are unlikely to sign another centre-back after defender Trevoh Chalobah was recalled by Chelsea. On Wednesday, the Blues used their recall option to end Chalobah's loan deal with the Eagles and he returned to his parent club.

The centre-half was due to play the FA Cup third round tie against Stockport County, so why was he prevented from taking part?

The back-three is pivotal to the success of Oliver Glasner’s tactics and with Chalobah on the right, Maxence Lacroix in the middle and Marc Guehi – more on him later – on th