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Brendan Rodgers ast night admitted Charly Musonda could return to Chelsea in the summer as Celtic edge closer to a deal for Odsonne Edouard.

The Belgian youngster has struggled for appearances since his high-profile switch from Stamford Bridge in January.

Musonda has started just three games for Celtic and made a total of eight appearances.

Sources in London this week suggested Chelsea are unhappy at his lack of action and are considering recalling the 21-year-old at the end of the season.

(Image: SNS Group)

Rodgers has confessed for the first time that it’s a possibility as he said: “They may well do. There is an agreement in place which is fairly relaxed.

“He’s probably not played as much as he would have liked, but there are obviously reasons for that.

“I’ll always bring players to develop them and, in the main, it’s normally what happens when they are in my environment.

“At times, there are things off the pitch that people won’t understand.

“It’s difficult for players when they move to different cities and areas, that settlement. Everything can be tough.

“I think if you’d seen 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, young Odsonne Edouard has come in from PSG. Gradually, they work themselves through.

“I have Mark Hill on loan at St Mirren. He’s hardly kicked a ball, but I understand.

“I’m pretty relaxed as a manager. 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.”

Rodgers also insisted he had a good record with Chelsea youngsters, amid the claims that the Stamford Bridge outfit are unhappy.

He added: “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, Ryan Bertrand was mentioned. I took Ryan to Reading and he did fantastic.

(Image: Getty)

“I took Victor Moses with me to Liverpool. He didn’t play as much, but [Phillippe] 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.

“Ultimately, it’s down to the players.”

Rodgers, meanwhile, confirmed positive talks have taken place over Edouard.

Manager and player want to make the loan switch permanent and the boss has revealed more discussions have taken place.

Rodgers said: “There’s been good conversations, so that’s something we’d like to do.”