BRENDAN Rodgers admits he is powerless to prevent Chelsea from recalling Charly Musonda this summer, just six months into his 18-month loan spell. Reports from south of the border suggest the Stamford Bridge side are concerned about the Belgian’s lack of playing time and are of a mind to rip up the agreement with the winger which is currently set to run until May 2019. Since arriving on January deadline day, the 21-year-old has started just two matches and failed to make the matchday squad for either of the recent meetings with Rangers.

While Rodgers said he had heard nothing from the club where he once served as a youth coach and defended his record when taking loan players from them, he admitted nonetheless that a clause in the 21-year-old’s contract exists where the Stamford Bridge side could bring him back down south this summer. The newspaper report alleged that the Northern Irishman’s chances of succeeding Antonio Conte as Chelsea manager had been compromised by the affair, but as far as Rodgers is concerned his established stars have simply been playing too well for him to break into the team.

“They may well do [call him back],” said the Northern Irishman. “There is an agreement in place which is fairly relaxed. He’s probably not played as much as he would have liked to, but there are obviously reasons for that. If you saw the game last week, there’s probably good reasons. I’ll always bring players to develop them and, in the main, that’s normally what happens when they are in my environment.

“At times, there are things off the pitch that people won’t understand,” he added. “It’s difficult for players when they move to different cities and areas, that settlement. Everything can be tough. But I think if you saw Charly last week when we won, he was happy. I haven’t heard anything [from Chelsea], but every club when they send a player out understand that the player goes to play as many games as they can.

“If you look at ourselves, it’s been difficult for Charly, but equally, it’s been difficult for Patrick Roberts since he’s been out, while young Odsonne Edouard has come in from PSG. Gradually, they work themselves through. I’m relaxed with all of that. There are stories around these things, but I’m experienced with working with players.

“I’ve seen some snippets of it [the story], Ryan Bertrand was mentioned. I took Ryan to Reading and he did fantastic. Played. I took Victor Moses with me to Liverpool. He didn’t play as much, but [Philippe] Coutinho was playing one side and [Raheem] Sterling the other and they were doing great. He still had games in that season.

“I’ve taken Jack Cork and Liam Bridcutt from Chelsea, who did great. Across the board, I’ve taken lots of players from lots of clubs and given them opportunities. But ultimately, it’s down to the players.”

“Of course, the idea for all players is to play. I have Mark Hill on loan at St Mirren. He’s hardly kicked a ball, but I understand. I send them to the club where I think they can develop and improve.

“I sent Ryan [Christie] to Aberdeen and he’s done great, earned his right to play. Mark has gone to a team that was winning. He hasn’t played as much, but he will have learned. That’s how management works.”