Frank Lampard understands Fikayo Tomori s desire to play more regularly amid speculation the centre-back could be set to follow Danny Drinkwater in sealing a move away from the club.
Tomori made 15 Premier League starts in the 2019-20 season but the arrival of Thiago Silva has pushed him further down the first-team pecking order.
The England international has featured only once in the top flight this campaign – coming on as substitute in the home defeat to Liverpool back in September – and Chelsea are seemingly ready to sanction a temporary move to allow him to get more regular first-team minutes elsewhere.
Serie A leaders Milan have been strongly linked with the 23-year-old, media reports suggesting the Italian club are pushing to complete a deal that includes an option to buy.
Fikayo is a developing player. We can t play all our centre backs in one game, said Lampard.
This year we have five, so the predicament is difficult. He wants to play regularly and that s why he may go out on loan.
He has made big strides in the last two or three seasons.
Captain and coach.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
Meanwhile, Drinkwater has departed to join Kasimpasa on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.
The midfielder was signed by the Blues from Leicester City in August 2017, though he has featured sparingly during his time at Stamford Bridge.
A key part of Claudio Ranieri s Leicester squad that won the league title in 2016, Drinkwater has made a total of 23 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions.
His 2019-20 season included unproductive loan spells at Burnley and Aston Villa, but now the 30-year-old will hope to kick-start his career during a temporary stint in Turkey.
It s great for Danny to leave to go and play for himself to get some games. I am trying to make sure the balance is right here, said Lampard.
Kasimpasa sit 15th in the Super Lig table, six points above the relegation zone.
