Michy Batshuayi has made clear he will not tolerate another season as a bit-part player at Chelsea as he targets a place at the World Cup in Russia, but will allow the Premier League champions to determine where his future should lie.
The Belgium forward, preparing for Friday’s qualifier in Estonia having begun the friendly victory over the Czech Republic this week, made a solitary start in the top flight last season following a £33.2m summer move from Marseille.
The striker scored four times in his last three league appearances, including the winner at West Bromwich Albion which secured the trophy, yet that full league debut came against Watford once the title had been claimed.
His only other starts came in domestic cup competitions and, with interest having been expressed by West Ham and the Ligue 1 champions, Monaco, Batshuayi’s involvement next term looks uncertain.
Chelsea have yet to determine whether the striker should remain at Stamford Bridge or depart, either on a season-long loan or in a permanent deal.
Asked whether he would accept another season on the fringes of the first team, the 23-year-old said: “No, no, no. Everyone knows that I have to play more, that I have to score goals. There’s a World Cup coming up next year. I want to be ready for the World Cup.
“But I’m not going to ask anything. I’m going to listen to what they are saying. They are the boss, not me. And afterwards I’ll discuss it with my agent and the club. Amicably, as friends of course. A loan? That’s not up to me. That’s up to them. They take the decisions, not me.
Michy Batshuayi added that, “I have lived difficult moments, but it’s in times like those that you learn the most.
Certainly when you’re surrounded by top class players, like Cesc Fàbregas, Eden Hazard, all of them, you only can make progress in a situation like that.
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“I haven’t played a lot, you know, but I managed to scored one of the most important goals. It gave me a boost. Good for me, good for the team. Of course I wanted to play more.
“And of course I wanted to score more goals. That’s normal. All players want that. But we have become champions. That’s really good for me. It’s a wonderful experience.”
Batshuayi’s Belgium team-mate Romelu Lukaku is the subject of interest from Chelsea, with the player intent upon returning to Stamford Bridge having been sold to Everton in 2014 for £28m.
Negotiations between the two clubs could prove protracted, with Everton seeking a world record £100m for their 25-goal leading scorer.
Chelsea’s stance will be affected by Diego Costa’s situation, with the Spain striker having made clear his reluctance to move to the Chinese Premier League.
Tianjin Quanjian had initially been prepared to pay £76m to secure Costa, whose preference would be a return to Atlético Madrid.
However, the Spanish club are operating under an incoming transfer ban and will not be able to register players until January 2018.
They are able to make signings if they do not play them until after the winter transfer window opens.
“Diego is a top player who has played in top teams and has scored a lot of goals at the highest level,” Michy Batshuayi said.
“I’m still young, so I’ve learned a lot from him.”
