Ex-Chelsea striker refuses to rule out Stamford Bridge return

Lyon striker Bertrand Traore has refused to rule out a return to Chelsea despite leaving the Premier League champions over the summer to save his career.

Traore joined Lyon in a deal worth £8.8m in the summer after spending last season on loan with Dutch giants Ajax and the 22-year-old has made an impressive start to life in France.

The Burkina Faso international made less than a dozen Premier League appearances for Chelsea during his four-year stint at the club and has revealed he opted to leave on a permanent basis to avoid killing his career.

“Going from Chelsea was the best decision for me. I am enjoying myself, as a young player you can only improve if you are playing every week,” he told The Daily Mail.

“I enjoyed my time at Chelsea and when I had opportunities to show what I could do on the pitch, I took them with both hands. But there weren’t any guarantee I would play.

“Yes, I would be happy if it was me in the Chelsea first-team playing every weekend, but this is football and you have to take decisions. Along with Chelsea, I took the decision to sign for Lyon and I am happy with that.”

“Why not, it is up to me to develop and progress as a player and prove that I am good enough to play in the Premier League,” he added when asked if he would be open to returning to Chelsea.

“Others went back, it is a possibility. I have to focus on Lyon, do my best and see what I do in the future."

The Lyon No.10 has scored four goals in 14 appearances across league and European competition this season, while only two team mates have earned a higher WhoScored rating than Traore (7.45) in the Europa League this term.