Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi has opened up on his disappointment in his lack of game time at the club, as well as revealing Antonio Conte's broken promise to him.
The Belgian spent last season on loan in Turkey, with Besiktas, but has found himself back at Stamford Bridge.
Batshuayi has not been given a squad number this season and is yet to feature in a matchday squad for the Blues, despite Thomas Tuchel handing him the chance to impress in pre-season.
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Chelsea have gone into the season with Raheem Sterling, Kai Havertz and Armando Broja all as options in the centre of their attack, while Tuchel’s side have been linked with further reinforcements.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the latest name to be linked as Chelsea are lining up a bid for the 33-year-old.
The former Arsenal captain worked with Tuchel previously during their time together at Borussia Dortmund and his arrival will all but spell the end for Batshuayi at the Blues.
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The Belgian has lifted the Premier League during his time at Chelsea, netting the goal to seal the title under Antonio Conte at the Hawthornes in the past but this is all a distant memory now.
The forward has been linked with a move away from the club with the likes of Everton and Wolves interested.
Speaking to Voetbal Magazine, Batshuayi explained why he believes that he wasn’t getting game time at Chelsea and revealed a promise made to him by former Chelsea boss Conte.
When asked about the reasons for him not getting as many minutes as he hoped for, Batshauyi cited the quality and quantity of strikers ahead of him.
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He said: “I cannot speak without knowing about Romelu, but for me it’s very clear: the problem was Diego Costa. At that time, I think there was no player who could’ve dethroned him. And in my second season, while I was having a great pre-season, Morata arrived.
“So even there it was complicated. But after that, despite that, every time I came on I scored. In fact, it’s quite strange to say, but the team was so strong that it was easy to score goals. When you play with certain players, everything becomes easy.”
Batshuayi continued to discuss former boss Conte, stating that he told him that he would play alongside Costa during his time at Chelsea, rather than competing with him for a place.
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“He said everything and the opposite of everything,” he continued on Conte.
“When I arrived for the first time, he called me, we had a long conversation, and he told me that his plan was for me to play in a front two with Diego Costa.
“Did I believe him? Certainly, because Conte throughout his career had always played with two strikers. Except at Chelsea with me! I don’t understand.
“And I’m sure we would’ve had a great season together. But since the club is spinning, I can’t even say anything. Otherwise people would say that the guy is angry, that he only thinks about himself. The truth is that I have been messed about a lot.”
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Batshuayi’s time at Chelsea appears to finally be coming to an end as he searches for a permanent home away from Stamford Bridge.
Topics: Chelsea, Michy Batshuayi, Football, Diego Costa, Antonio Conte
Nick Emms