CHELSEA's Lisbon hero Salomon Kalou has revealed he was not allowed to play for Chelsea under previous boss Andre Villas-Boas because of ongoing contract negotiations.

The Ivorian, who netted Blues vital away going in their 1-0 win over Benfica last night, has been revitalised under caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo .

Kalou said: “It has been a difficult year for me with the contract and all that. Maybe Andre was building a new team and he was maybe thinking I wasn't part of the future of the club.

“I have been told because I didn't sign the contract I was not allowed to play.”

Kalou started the first two league games of Villas-Boas' short tenure. Since then he as only picked in the starting 11 for two League Cup matches.

But since Di Matteo's promotion to caretaker, he has been involved in five out of seven games.

Kalou said at one stage he feared he would go the same way as Nicolas Anelka and Alex - transfer listed by the club, and forced to train with the reserves.

“They did well for the club and did a great job,” he said of his two transferred colleagues.

“Every player has his own issue with the club. I can't relate my issue to them. For me the most important thing is to work hard in training. There is more opportunity now, we have a lot of games coming. Robbie is here to make the team work well so he is giving the chance to everyone.

“For me I respect every manager, I respect the choice. It is not about going to the manager and asking why I'm not playing, it's about showing it in training and when you have the opportunity to play, show it every week.

"Robbie gave me the opportunity against Benfica and I hope I will get more opportunities.”

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