Soccer: Chelsea plan to sort out Poyet’s blues

Chelsea will discuss Gustavo Poyet’s frustrations with him at the end of the season.

The Uruguayan midfielder, a popular figure at Stamford Bridge in his four years at the club, expressed his annoyance to managing director Colin Hutchinson when he was recently left out of the side.

And despite having since returned to the line-up, Chelsea’s defeat at home to Charlton last weekend coupled with his desire to win a league title before the end of his career appear to have increased his worries.

The 33-year-old midfielder reportedly said: ‘‘It makes me sad to say it but I cannot see a bright future for me at Chelsea.

‘‘I want to be given the chance to finish my career at a club where I have a real chance of winning the championship.’’

Poyet has often been quoted as insisting that he wants to see out the end of his career at the club.

However, he added today: ‘‘Our performance in the home defeat by Charlton was the final blow. I am so disappointed with the way the season has gone.

‘‘We have four games left and are playing for a place in the UEFA Cup. That is not good enough for Chelsea and it is not good enough for me.

‘‘After we changed the manager at the start of the season, we don’t seem to know where we are going.

‘‘Everyone knows I would die for this club. When I came here four years ago, I really believed Chelsea was the club where I would win a league title.’’

Chelsea, who today ruled themselves out of any move to sign Dwight Yorke or Andy Cole from Manchester United, will be hoping that Poyet’s public outburst is due to his emotional character rather than any deep-seated desire to leave Stamford Bridge.

Coach Claudio Ranieri has already made it clear that the Uruguay international is one of the four experienced figures around whom he wants to base his plans for the future.

Managing director Colin Hutchinson, who also faces a battle to persuade Gianfranco Zola to stay at Chelsea next season, told PA Sport: ‘‘Gus has another year left on his contract.

‘‘We had a meeting with him in recent weeks when he was a bit frustrated at being in and out of the team.

‘‘We agreed to sit down at the end of the season and review the situation then. Gus is an emotional guy and we want him to stay. Claudio has already made that clear.’’

Poyet could now be looking for a final move of his career, seeking reassurances about his place in the side or looking for proof of Chelsea’s ambitions in the transfer market this summer.

Hutchinson has already made it clear that Chelsea will be further strengthening their squad after an inconsistent season.

However, he has ruled out any move for Cole or Yorke if they were to become surplus to requirements following the arrival of Ruud van Nistelrooy.

‘‘Neither Cole nor Yorke is in our plans,’’ he insisted. ‘‘I can say we have no interest in either player.’’