Trevoh Chalobah had to wait a long time for his opportunity at Chelsea — but he has grabbed it with both hands. 

The 22-year-old, who has been at the club since he was eight, impressed on his Blues debut in their Super Cup triumph against Villarreal. 

And he had the Stamford Bridge faithful on their feet as he made his first Premier League appearance on Saturday by netting the final goal in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

With 58 minutes on the clock, the academy graduate found himself in space 25 yards from goal and unleashed a piledriver past Vicente Guaita into the bottom corner.

Chalobah dropped to the ground in celebration as his delighted team-mates mobbed him for a moment the defender could probably only have imagined in his wildest dreams. 

After his surprise breakthrough, we look at the youngster's long journey to the first team.

Success with the academy

Chalobah followed in the footsteps of older brother Nathaniel when he joined the Blues in 2007, signing his first professional contract in 2016.

He was part of a youth team alongside the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James that enjoyed plenty of success. 

Chalobah’s glittering trophy cabinet at academy level includes the UEFA Youth League in 2015-16, the FA Youth Cup in 2015-16 and 2016-17, and the Under-18 Premier League in 2016-17. 

But as many before him will testify, including his older brother, success at youth level does not guarantee a first-team run at Chelsea.

He made the bench for several games during the 2017-18 season under Antonio Conte, including the FA Cup final victory over Manchester United, but would be made to wait for his senior debut. 

A cycle of loans

Fresh off extending his Chelsea deal, his first taste of senior action came as a teenager in the Championship with Ipswich during the 2018-19 season, making 44 appearances for the Tractor Boys as they were relegated to League 1.

Operating predominantly in midfield for Paul Lambert’s side, scoring two goals along the way, he was one of the few positives during a season to forget in Suffolk.

Another stint in the Championship followed with Huddersfield, who were readjusting to life in the second tier following two seasons in the Premier League.

Singing Chalobah's praises, former Terriers boss Danny Cowley said: "He is a fantastic professional.

"For a young player he has a really mature head on his shoulders — he does everything right in terms of the way he lives and trains.

"Let me tell you he will definitely, definitely, definitely be a top, top player."

His performances saw the Blues extend his deal once again, this time until 2023. 

But it would not yet be enough for a place in the Chelsea squad, with Frank Lampard opting to send him out again to Lorient in Ligue 1.

Chalobah impressing once again, helping the French side avoid the drop last season.

Debuts to remember

With Chelsea fresh off winning the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel, Chalobah looked destined for another temporary switch this summer with Valencia thought to be leading the race.

But following an impressive pre-season, combined with a lack of availability and Chelsea not yet adding to their defensive ranks, Chalobah found himself in the starting line-up for the Super Cup in Belfast.

It was an opportunity he took with both hands, earning plaudits for his performance over 120 minutes as Chelsea eventually beat their LaLiga counterparts on penalties.

Tuchel said: "He never lost face and stayed calm and was physical enough to play 120 minutes. It was quite impressive.

"He forced his way into our thinking. Let’s see how it goes. We still have some days to decide his personal future but in the moment he shows his value to the team."

If that was not enough to convince Tuchel, his performance just three days later surely did after a top-flight debut to remember. 

The reaction of both Chalobah and his Chelsea team-mates showcased just how special a moment his goal was.

No one was more pleased than fellow graduate Mount, who has shared much of his journey with him. 

Chalobah said: "When I scored, I didn’t know what to do. I dropped to my knees. I was crying."

With the likes of Thiago Silva returning and the club still hunting Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, Chalobah’s future may still lie elsewhere this season.

But he has done his future prospects no harm at all.