Report: Chelsea to resist loan offers for underused Batshuayi

Chelsea has no intention of lending out £33.2-million summer signing Michy Batshuayi in the January window despite his overall lack of playing time this season, the Guardian's Dominic Fifield reports.

Once relegated to Chelsea's Under-23 side, Batshuayi has struggled to supplant Diego Costa in Antonio Conte's weekly XI. The Spain international's composed performances, along with his Premier League-leading 13 goals, have cemented his status as Chelsea's primary poacher.

All the while, Batshuayi has waited in the wings. He's made 10 Premier League appearances - all from the bench - since joining from Marseille in the summer.

But with Costa suspended for the Boxing Day clash against Bournemouth, the 23-year-old Frenchman is expected to earn his first Premier League start.

West Ham had emerged as a potential destination for Batshuayi to test himself over the next six months. However, he is considered a crucial relief option in case Costa misses time with an injury, or in this case through suspension.

Batshuayi is also held in high regard at Cobham, where he's trained with diligence and an upstanding attitude, according to Fifield. He bagged a brace in his lone outing for the under-23s last month, yet more evidence of his desire to work through adversity.

The Belgium international rose to stardom after scoring 17 Ligue 1 goals for a poor Marseille side that slumped to 13th place last season.

He's registered three tallies with Chelsea's senior team thus far, including a vital equaliser off the bench in a 2-1 win over Watford.