Chelsea are refusing to sanction a loan move for out-of-favour striker Michy Batshuayi, according to the Daily Star.

What's the word?

The Belgium international arrived at Stamford Bridge from Marseille with a rumoured hefty price tag of around £33m, but he is yet to showcase his talent this season.

The 23-year-old forward has not started a Premier League game yet, having made 12 appearances after coming off the substitutes bench.

The only starts that have been granted to him by manager Antonio Conte have been in the EFL Cup (3) and FA Cup (1).

Batshuayi has scored four goals in all competitions so far, but he has been given little time to find his stride, playing just 84 minutes of league action.

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According to Sky Sports, West Ham United have expressed an interest in signing the Belgian on loan, while Swansea City have also been touted as a potential destination.

However, the Daily Star reports that Conte wants Batshuayi to fight for his place and believes that it is better for him to continue his development with the Blues.

Is Conte making the right call?

Everyone knows that footballers need game time in order to improve, and it does not look like Batshuayi will get much of that this season.

Going out on loan would give the striker a better taste of the Premier League (if he were to move to another top-flight club of course) and an opportunity to find match sharpness.

With Diego Costa in impressive form, Batshuayi is unlikely to force his way into the starting lineup.

With a big price tag on his shoulders, though, it is rather surprising that the ex-Marseille man is not being given more opportunities.

If reports are to be believed that Fernando Llorente is on his way to the Bridge from Swansea City on loan, it is even harder for Batshuayi to get into the first team.

A temporary spell for the striker elsewhere could be beneficial to both the club and player.

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