Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out a January exit for out-of-favour winger Mohamed Salah, insisting that he cannot afford to leave himself short.
Speculation is rife that the 22-year-old could leave Stamford Bridge on loan this month, with his agent recently revealing negotiations with Italian side Roma.
The Egypt international, also a reported Besiktas target, is yet to start a Premier League game this season, but Mourinho admits that a move away is unlikely.
"He can't leave, I have 20 players today with Didier [Drogba] a bit ill and [Cesar] Azpilicueta injured," he told reporters.
"I have a very short squad, I need everybody. For Salah to leave someone has to come, and I don't think we are going to let Salah go on loan and then spend some money to bring somebody else in.
"So I don't think so, unless my club comes to me and says Salah goes on loan and we are going to buy a £50m player."
Salah is contracted to the West London club until 2019.
Shane Callaghan
