Many Chelsea fans were expecting Marko Marin to be a major part of the first team this season, but after dealing with injury for much of the early going, he's barely been able to find a spot on the bench. With Lucas Piazon doing more to impress in his brief cameos than Marin, it would seem unlikely that we'll see much of the German this spring unless we play a weakened side for the Europa League.

Marin has been rumored to be a loan target for several teams in Germany, but he made some comments on Wednesday that may squash that particular rumor. Via the Daily Mail:

''I signed a five-year deal at Chelsea, so there is no reason to put that into question after just five months here. I have also been out injured for three months. Of course I would love to play more minutes, but there are quite a few factors why I have been unable to do so.'

'Rafa Benitez is a good manager and the club have put their trust in me and I have a clear idea about my future role. I could imagine a loan deal. It could be an ideal option to get me playing more regularly and help me with my general development, but I think at this time it is out of the question and I won’t be heading back to the Bundesliga.'

Should Marin not find a role with the club this spring, I'd imagine there would be some more serious talk about a move over the summer. That's still a ways off though, and from the sound of it, he'll be with Chelsea at least until then. I suppose that could all change if we went and signed Taison or someone of that nature, but at the moment, it sounds like Marin will not be joining the loan roundup any time soon.