Michy Batshuayi insists he will stay loyal to Chelsea and ‘feels at home’ at the Premier League club despite his lack of starts under Frank Lampard.
Belgium striker Batshuayi has endured a frustrating spell at Stamford Bridge since completing a £33million move from Ligue 1 side Marseille in 2016.
The 26-year-old has been sent out on three separate loan spells – to Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Crystal Palace – and is yet to start a match for Chelsea so far this season.
Batshuayi – along with French striker Olivier Giroud – has been forced to play back-up to in-form England striker Tammy Abraham and has been persistently linked with a move during the January transfer window.
But he said: ‘I have never been a full-fledged starter, but Chelsea is my club, that’s where I feel at home. It’s a club I love deeply.’
Batshuayi also revealed how he has matured as a professional footballer, adding: ‘When I was young, it’s true that I had some problems of discipline.
‘But what young person doesn’t? Today, I’m 26 years old, I can channel myself and I work at training and in the game.’
Batshuayi is seen as a playful character both on and off the pitch and said: ‘That is true, but I choose my moments: at 0-0 I’m going to be serious, at 2 or 3-0 I’m going to play it up.
‘Being cool is part of my personality. But it’s true: the pressure of football imposes the need to perform and win. The competition is raging, and seriousness is needed.’
Chelsea visit Premier League champions Manchester City following the conclusion of the international break.
