Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is unwilling to let go defender Davide Zappacosta who is pushing for an exit for a return to Serie A before the close of the transfer window on Thursday.

Zappacosta has struggled to nail down a regular spot in the Chelsea starting line-up since joining from Torino under Antonio Conte.Zappacosta is considered as a back player at Chelsea but he was used regularly in Cup games, the reports suggest that the Italian defender wants a return to Serie A.

Chelsea youngster Reece James is seemingly set to have his breakthrough season and provide competition for places in the Blues first-team squad.However, the report suggests that Lampard is reluctant to allow Zappacosta to leave given that the youngster is recovering from injury and the Italian being sold would leave the club short at right-back.Chelsea is under the FIFA transfer ban and they will not be able to replace Zappacosta if he leaves this summer.