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Chelsea to block defender from joining London rival

Chelsea will aim to move a step closer to automatic qualification for the Europa Conference League knockout stages when they face Astana on Thursday.

The Blues sit top of the group phase table with a perfect record as they make the long trip to Kazakhstan to face Astana, with victory set to almost certainly secure their automatic progression into the next round.

So far Enzo Maresca has largely fielded an almost entirely different team in the competition in comparison to the one he selects for Premier League matches, with the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix finding most of their opportunities in Europe.

The Blues have won all four of their matches so far, though, and are in pole position to qualify for the knockouts.

One player that has also ben a regular for Chelsea in Europe this season is defender Tosin Adarabioyo, and it appears that those in charge of the club have made a decision on his short-term future.

According to Football Insider, the West London outfit will not allow the centre-back to depart Stamford Bridge in January, despite interest from Premier League rivals West Ham United.

Tosin has been linked with a move to London rivals West Ham United

The 27-year-old only joined the Blues from neighbours Fulham over the summer after his contract with the Cottagers expired, but he has been linked with a mid-season switch across the capital to The London Stadium.

Tosin has played 11 times for Maresca’s side so far this term, but he has started just three of five appearances in the Premier League.

The Englishman is behind the likes of Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana in the pecking order of central defenders at Stamford Bridge.

The defender – who was previously in the academy of Manchester City – has been rumoured to be of interest to the Hammers, who could look to sign the player on loan next month.

Chelsea are reluctant to let him leave, though, and the report claims that he is instead set to stay put and remain part of Maresca’s squad during the second half of the campaign.

Tosin is contracted to the Blues until 2028, having signed a long-term deal when he joined the club earlier this year.

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