Chelsea have reportedly turned down Cardiff's request to allow Omari Kellyman to play against his parent club in their Carabao Cup quarter-final. Hopes were high that Kellyman, who moved to Chelsea from Aston Villa for £19million in the summer of 2024, would be permitted to play against his parent club. However, Chelsea have not provided written consent.
The Sun claim that the League One side made 'a tentative verbal request' to include the loanee, who joined Brian Barry-Murphy's team on a season-long loan this summer, in the matchday squad. Nonetheless, Chelsea declined Cardiff's request, despite them being the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition.
Since joining Cardiff from Stamford Bridge this summer, Kellyman has become an integral part of the Welsh club, scoring twice in 17 matches.
He has already contributed to Cardiff's journey to this stage of the tournament, coming on as a substitute in the victory over Aston Villa in the third round.
He then started in the win over Wrexham, securing their place in the quarter-finals.
This isn't the first time Chelsea have adopted this approach with a loaned player; they also denied Conor Gallagher permission to play against them during his loan spell at Crystal Palace in 2022.
A victory over the Bluebirds would bring Enzo Maresca's team one step closer to lifting the trophy.
Speaking before the match, Maresca warned: "These are the worst games for this reason. Football is full of these kind of games where the favourite one, they can use and they can drop.
"That's why we need to pay attention. That's why the focus has to be on Cardiff. Again, it can be the third semi-final in 18 months, but it's something important.
"I think since I joined the club, I always try to say the same. To have the winning mentality, you need to win games. Otherwise, the players, they don't believe you.
"So since day one, we are trying to win games. And tomorrow is another chance to be there in another semi-final, no matter the competition. And it's an important moment for the players, for the fans, for the club, for everyone."