Chelsea are set to loan out defender, Fikayo Tomori again, but it won't be to Derby County this season according to journalist, Simon Johnson. 

Tomori spent last season on loan with Derby, and made 44 league appearances for the Rams in total under Frank Lampard.

The central defender was hugely impressive in his loan spell with the club, and was reportedly willing to play for Derby for another season.

"Of course," the 21-year-old replied, when asked if would think about a second stint at Pride Park.

"I have loved it. I grew so much as a player. Derby is such a great club," Tomori told BBC East Midlands Sport.

Frank Lampard is now in charge at Chelsea, but is keen to find Tomori regular game time at a higher level than the Championship.

Johnson claims that Tomori has had several offers from clubs in the Premier League, as well as offers from German and Portuguese clubs before the new season gets underway.

Derby will be hoping to go one better than last season, as they were narrowly beaten in the Championship play-off final by Aston Villa who made a timely return to the Premier League.

The Rams have appointed Phillip Cocu as Lampard's successor, and supporters will be hoping to see new signings arrive in the near future to provide some much-needed depth in their squad.

They get their 2019/2020 league campaign underway with a tricky fixture against Huddersfield Town, who will be looking to get off to the best possible start in their first season back in the second tier.

The Verdict:

This will be a frustrating update for Derby supporters ahead of the new season.

Tomori hardly put a foot wrong in his loan spell with the Rams, and supporters will have been desperate to see him return to the club for another year.

But he could definitely be playing at a higher level than the Championship, so Phillip Cocu will have to find an alternative to fill the sizeable void left by Tomori before the new league campaign kicks off.