Frank Lampard is under significant pressure at Chelsea but remains in charge and has made a transfer decision ahead of the closure of the January window.
The Blues are set for an FA Cup fourth-round clash against Championship outfit Luton Town, before three Premier League games in quick succession against Wolves, Burnley and Tottenham.
Having spent over £200m in the summer, Lampard has not dipped into the mid-season transfer window to add new faces to his squad.
Instead, the only significant piece of business has been sending Fikayo Tomori on loan to AC Milan, a move which the Italian side can make permanent at the end of the season.
While there is the prospect of further deals, both incoming and outgoing, before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, Lampard has already made one decision.
The Mirror reports that Chelsea have blocked an approach from London rivals West Ham for the services of Emerson Palmieri.
The Hammers are in the hunt for a left-back to provide depth beyond Aaron Cresswell, with Arthur Masuaku sidelined through injury until at least the end of February.
Emerson, meanwhile, has fallen down the pecking order following the signing of Ben Chilwell in the summer, with Marcos Alonso also in the running.
However, Lampard wants to retain the services of Emerson due to the fixture build-up that lies ahead in the second half of the season
