Salomon Kalou has told Chelsea he wants a guarantee of more game time before he signs a new contract at Stamford Bridge.
Kalou had looked set to leave the club when his current deal expires next summer, but manager Andre Villas-Boas revealed last week that talks had begun with the striker over an extension. The parties need to reach an agreement before January if Chelsea are to avoid risking Kalou leaving for nothing.
The 26-year-old said: "That's what every player wants to have, game time. Because if you're not playing every weekend, how are you going to improve yourself? So it's very important to play to improve and to push yourself to the limit. That's what I'm looking for."
Kalou, who started the first two Barclays Premier League games under Villas-Boas but has been in the XI just once since, added: "We're still talking and hopefully the club is putting itself in a good position and me myself as well.
"I think we're going to agree on something good. I want to stay, I want to be here. I like Chelsea. I've had a fantastic five seasons here and won some prizes.
"Chelsea are looking forward to the future and I'm still a young player and I think my future can be here."
Source: PA
