Agent Carlos Barros has suggested that Xavier Mbuyamba is frustrated at not being allowed to go out on loan for the second half of the season.
Having left Barcelona for Stamford Bridge in August 2020, the centre-back had been expected to be nurtured for future first-team opportunities.
However, midway through a three-year contract, the 20-year-old is yet to make an appearance, and Barros has revealed that Chelsea currently have no plans to allow the Dutchman to go out on loan this month.
Speaking in an interview with Goal, Barros said: "There is a difference of opinion, to be honest. We feel that he is best served by going on loan but they want to keep him to help their Under-23s who are struggling.
"We are a bit frustrated because we have options in the UK and Dutch Eredivisie but they are currently being blocked. We just wanted to be open about the situation because we feel like the situation may slow down his development as a player."
Mbuyamba has made 21 appearances for Chelsea's second-string this season, five of those outings coming in the EFL Trophy.
Darren Plant
