Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is reluctant to lose Emerson Palmieri this month.

The Athletic reports Lampard is keen to keep Emerson Palmieri at Chelsea unless there is a significant offer on the table for the defender.

Emerson, 26, has seen limited action at left-back this season due to the £50million arrival of Ben Chilwell last summer.

But Lampard is keen to maintain his squad depth as the Blues aim to break into the Champions League spots in the second half of the season.

Emerson has 18 months left on his deal at Stamford Bridge and could move to Serie A in the summer.

Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso has seen even less game time than Emerson and has been told he can leave. There have been a number of loan enquiries for the Spaniard.