Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori could be blocked from leaving the club on loan in the January transfer window with his team-mate Andreas Christensen set for a spell on the sidelines, reports claim.
Tomori has been restricted to just 45 minutes in the Premier League this season and has not featured competitively since a Carabao Cup shootout defeat to Tottenham in September. With several centre-back options ahead of him, he has been linked with a temporary move away as he seeks regular game time.
But Frank Lampard will put the brakes on such a move after Christensen suffered a blow to his knee in Chelsea's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, according to the Sun, with the Blues boss now short of defensive cover.
Tomori was part of a youth revolution last season in Lampard's first year in charge as he was given opportunities to shine at the heart of Chelsea's defence while the club were under a transfer embargo.
But he became a peripheral figure in the second half of the 2019-20 campaign and has fallen way down the pecking order after the signing of experienced former PSG centre-back Thiago Silva.
Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger and Christensen are also ahead of Tomori in Lampard's thinking, but the under-fire boss will be keen to have four centre-backs available for selection as he bids to haul his side up the Premier League table.
Leeds emerged as one of the favourites to take Tomori on loan after Marcelo Bielsa contends with an injury blow of his own in defence. Centre-back Robin Koch came off during their 3-1 loss to Chelsea - also with a knee injury - and could miss the next three months following surgery.
The Whites have struggled defensively during their up and down start to life back in the top flight and Bielsa will be keen to secure more depth and quality in that position.
Pundits have praised the Yorkshire outfit for their high-octane style but heavy defeats against Manchester United and Spurs have caused a concern.
Newcastle have also been mooted as a possible destination and are said to be interested in the 23-year-old, with Steve Bruce coming under fire after a series of poor displays at the back.
Tomori, who played 22 times for the Blues last season, has been with the club since 2005, having joined at Under-8 level.
He has been loaned out to Brighton, Hull and Derby in 2018 - where he first made a name for himself in Lampard's first coaching role.
armah Reuben
0
Best monchenglabach player of the year award during his loan)) he has more experienced than tomori)) tomori still need to learn coz his still young 👌🏿
Exactly.That's where he belongs not Chelsea.We don't deal with cry babies.
armah Reuben
0
Best monchenglabach player of the year award during his loan)) he has more experienced than tomori)) tomori still need to learn coz his still young 👌🏿
Exactly.That's where he belongs not Chelsea.Chelsea don't deal with cry babies.
Kaodeknty
0
so far m concerne ds very weekend match is the only match Lampard can win after he'll go back to his normal losing
Kaodeknty
0
not loan but outright sell if Christensen should be in Villa I don't think he can even be seeing matches there
Kaodeknty
0
if I may ask what is Christensen still doing in chelsea does it belongs to chelsea class or what.
armah Reuben
0
Best monchenglabach player of the year award during his loan)) he has more experienced than tomori)) tomori still need to learn coz his still young 👌🏿
he belongs there and not Chelsea.
temceoruy
0
Leave Tomori
haailoyz
1
sell Chris and leave tomori
confusion201
0
That indomie boy called christians needed to be loan out in fact to sell will be most likely options and give tomori a chance to improve himself🙌 ktbffh 💙
Andy_Mac
2
I really want to see Tomori play against Morecambe. It has been a long time since we saw him play in a Chelsea shirt. I really hope Lampard doesn't freeze the bloke again.
mapdepsz
0
Tomori is far better than Christensen pls let him stay..
mapdepsz
0
Tomori is more better than Christensen.. ..Am telling you...
true
Patcelnz
0
swich to 344 play wolf last season
Patcelnz
0
two out need new plsyer pleasea good player
Femi2chelsea
0
dis is our best formation
CkukwukaObiorah
3
Tomori is more better than Christensen.. ..Am telling you...
AbustuzMukanda
2
Why claiming his importance today simply coz he wants to leave? Let the kid go & develop to a top talent maybe by the time he comes back Lampard wud be gone & maybe the New coach wil see his (Tomori) worthy
eddystyles
0
The best news so far
Dabwitso_
0
Lampard has gotten this far... I feel he has to pass the burton to someone else. there's a sense of stagnation, even before this bad run of form. we where just not conceding, we weren't playing the best football...
ciacmoprsz
3
Please let Tomori go out on loan please
Nesaiknruy_Legend
5
At least use him if we are blocking the move. This one is on Frank he owes Tomori a chance. I think another manager would even start Tomori given his qualities and how he can be molded. Not sure if there is something bigger behind the scenes but it looks like hes unfairly frozen out.
XaadiM
0
Sell Christ
cataekmou
0
sell christenson he's made the most mistakes and is far from consistent and Tomori is better than all the other back up cb
simple and short
Zahrahali
3
Against morecambe Abraham Anjorin Havertz CHO Gilmour Bate Emerson Rudiger Tomori Livramento s
Amalam
2
Lamp should try this formation 👍🏾
mark_swaps_sides
3
sell christenson he's made the most mistakes and is far from consistent and Tomori is better than all the other back up cb
zucabcir
0
nex
Manrido
1
How can Christensen be ahead of Tomori.This even tells me that Lamps don't know what he is doing.
Best monchenglabach player of the year award during his loan)) he has more experienced than tomori)) tomori still need to learn coz his still young 👌🏿
Bayern_10
1
hizdmry
5
don't loan the boy, let him learn from Silva
armah Reuben
2
How can Christensen be ahead of Tomori.This even tells me that Lamps don't know what he is doing.
தமிழன்007
1
y he is not even get a play time atleast if he go to other club he will get play time.he is good defender you he is need to waste his life here
*why*
தமிழன்007
3
y he is not even get a play time atleast if he go to other club he will get play time.he is good defender you he is need to waste his life here
RaiyanHasib
2
Frank I think it's time you use Fikayo, He is amazing. Now so then Christensen is injured, you can pair him with Zouma or Silva. I prefer him and Zouma together.