Forgotten Chelsea star Marco van Ginkel has confirmed he is in talks over a new deal at Stamford Bridge - despite not having played for the club since 2013.
The 27-year-old joined Chelsea that year in an £8million move from Vitesse Arnhem, but has managed just four first-team appearances since.
He has had a torrid time with injuries over the last two seasons, and looked set to depart Chelsea when his contract expires in the coming weeks.
However it seems Chelsea are willing to offer the Dutchman a lifeline, as they have opened negotiations on a fresh contract.
"My agent, Karel Jansen, is in talks with Chelsea about a new contract for me," van Ginkel told AD .
"I am very happy at this show of confidence in me by the club."
Chelsea have good reason to be keen on retaining van Ginkel, following several impressive loan stints.
After barely featuring in the 2013/14 season, he had a spell at AC Milan, followed by six months at Stoke, before showing his true promise at PSV.
It was back in Holland that van Ginkel flourished, scoring 16 times and providing five assists in 31 appearances.
His form was so good PSV even made him captain in the 2017/18 campaign, at the end of which they were crowned champions.
But it was that summer when van Ginkel's fitness problems began, after he suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery.
Since then he has failed to make a single appearance competitively, but Chelsea are seemingly determined to give him a chance.
He was dubbed the 'next Frank Lampard' on his arrival at Chelsea, and is now relishing the prospect of an opportunity to impress the legendary midfielder.
" It is quite something when a club tries to keep a player who has been out injured so long and in these uncertain times as well," he added.
"If a deal can be done I expect to make my comeback in Chelsea’s Under-23 side."
Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.
