Antonio Conte has insisted that Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi will not loaned out or sold in the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old forward arrived from French giants Marseille for £33million in the summer but is yet to start a Premier League match for the Blues.
Batshuayi was expected to replace the suspended Diego Costa for Chelsea’s game against Bournemouth but winger Eden Hazard was instead used in more of a central role.
Despite finding chances very limited at Stamford Bridge, Conte remains certain that the Belgium international will not leave the club in January.
“I won’t let him go on loan,” said Chelsea manager Conte.
“He’s a new player for Chelsea and to go on loan now is a defeat for the club and for me. Every decision I make is because I want to win. I try to make the best decision for the team but I am sure Michy will have the possibility to play in the future.
“I wanted to give him an opportunity to play and have another appearance and it happened at the end.
“We have to continue to work with him every day to try together to improve him, and to bring him to the best condition to help us in this league. We need him.”
By Drew Darbyshire (@DarbySports)
