BBC Sport: Chelsea set to hand Cardiff major blow ahead of Carabao Cup quarter final | OneFootball

Chelsea aren’t expected to give Cardiff permission to play Omari Kellyman against them in the Carabao Cup, despite a verbal request from the Welsh club according to reports.

Kellyman joined Chelsea for £19m from Aston Villa in the summer of 2024, but missed virtually the entire of last season with a number of hamstring injuries.

The 20-year-old has remained fit since his last surgery in March, but as of yet hasn’t made his first team debut for the Blues.

Chelsea unlikely to let Kellyman play against them in Carabao Cup

With his chance of minutes virtually none at Chelsea, Kellyman joined League One outfit Cardiff on loan for the season.

The youngster has been managed carefully in Wales given his injury issues, and has made 11 appearances in all competitions, and Kellyman scored his first goal against Reading in October. 

Kellyman scored his first goal for Cardiff last month. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

The youngster has played just 287 minutes across six league games, but this is believed to be part of the plan to ease him back in.

Cardiff have done well in the Carabao Cup, and beat Wrexham in the last round to set up a quarter final against the Blues next month, and the prospect of Kellyman playing against his parent club.

However, BBC Sport have reported Chelsea are unlikely to give Cardiff permission to play Kellyman against them.

The report adds the Bluebirds have made a verbal request, but haven’t had any written permission as of yet from the Blues.

BBC Sport add the two clubs have a good working relationship, with there an understanding it’s not the norm for loanees to play against their parent club in British football.

Carabao Cup great opportunity for silverware

Chelsea won two trophies last season under Enzo Maresca, and the Carabao Cup represents another great chance of silverware.

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The Blues lost the final to Liverpool under Mauricio Pochettino, and with a quarter final against Cardiff they are heavy favourites to make the last four.

Chelsea haven’t won a domestic trophy since the 2018 FA Cup, and success at Wembley is well overdue for the Blues.