Thomas Tuchel insists Saul Niguez was not a signing forced on him by the club.
Midfielder Saul has barely featured for Chelsea since his deadline day loan arrival from Atletico Madrid and a difficult debut against Aston Villa when he was subbed at half-time.
He has made just one other Premier League appearance as an 88th minute sub at Newcastle and his only two other starts have come in the Carabao Cup.
His lack of action, especially in light of the recent absences of fellow central midfielders Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante, sparked doubts about whether his deal was one pushed by those above him rather than head coach Tuchel.