AVB ditched me because I didn’t sign new deal

FEELING BLUE ... Salomon Kalou

SALOMON KALOU was warned by Andre Villas-Boas that he would not play for Chelsea again unless he signed a new deal.

The striker, 26, revealed: "I was told by the previous manager that I was not allowed to play because I didn't sign a contract.

"Maybe he was building a new team and thinking I wasn't part of the future.

"That was a really big frustration and it has been a difficult season for me not being involved.

"I always worked hard and showed there was no reason why I shouldn't be in the team. It's not about money but playing time.

"If you don't get on the pitch, it's very hard and sometimes the club never gave me the chance to show what I can do."

Kalou, who will be a free agent in the summer, started just four games for Villas-Boas before the Portuguese boss was sacked on March 4.

But he has already been involved in five of Roberto Di Matteo's seven games in charge and scored the only goal in Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final first leg win away to Benfica on Tuesday.