Chelsea are considering allowing Davide Zappacosta to leave on loan so that Reece James can be the main back-up to right-back Cesar Azpilicueta.

Zappacosta has made little impact at Stamford Bridge since joining from Torino for an initial £23m in 2017, starting just 34 matches of which only 13 have come in the Premier League.

The Italy international has been involved in the club’s pre-season matches under new coach Frank Lampard, but that is partly because James is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

It is understood that the club had initially earmarked Ola Aina to be the club’s second-choice right-back – behind Azpiliceuta – for next season with James more likely to be allowed to leave on loan to continue his development.

However, Aina told Chelsea he wanted to join Torino – where he played regularly last term on loan – on a permanent basis and the Serie A club triggered an option to buy him for £8.9m last month.

James is regarded very highly at Stamford Bridge and starred so much at Wigan last term, he won all the Championship club’s player of the year awards.

The 19-year-old had to undergo surgery on his ankle problem last month, but it is hoped he will be able to start pre-season training soon.

As long as his recovery doesn’t suffer any further setbacks then Chelsea will listen to loan offers for Zappacosta, who is bound to attract interest from Serie A clubs.

Lazio were keen on the Italy international’s signature in January and have held talks with Chelsea about buying him outright.

James is also another of Chelsea’s youngsters that the club want to give a new contract too, even though he has three years remaining on his current deal.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount have already penned five-year deals and as Standard Sport first revealed last month, Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to sign a long-term agreement too.