Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has revealed that centre-back Fikayo Tomori rejected a loan move to West Ham before the transfer window closed last month.

The Hammers were linked with the 22-year-old, along with his teammate Antonio Rudiger, but neither player ended up at the London Stadium. Lampard says Tomori decided to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place:

“Fikayo is our contracted player. We know that West Ham were interested in taking him on loan late in the window. Fikayo took the decision not to go and that’s well within his rights.”

Tomori has only made three appearances for Chelsea so far this campaign, with two starts in the Carabao Cup against Barnsley and Tottenham, as well as a substitute appearance versus Liverpool back in September.

Since then, though, the England international has failed to even make the matchday squad for the last two Premier League fixtures. With the defender effectively the Blues’ fifth choice centre-half, it will be interesting to see whether the player considers a loan exit when January comes around.

West Ham did snap up Watford defender Craig Dawson on loan as an alternative to Tomori, but they are still likely to be monitoring the Chelsea star’s situation closely.