Salomon Kalou has revealed he could consider leaving Chelsea in the summer after sliding down Carlo Ancelotti's pecking order.
The Ivorian striker has found himself warming the bench at Stamford Bridge since the £50million arrival of Fernando Torres from Liverpool in January, despite the Spaniard failing to score in four appearances.
Kalou, who arrived at the Premier League side in 2006, admits he is frustrated by the lack of regular first-team football, and is weighing up options over his future.
"It's been difficult watching from the sidelines these past few weeks," said Kalou.
"If an opportunity doesn't come, that's when you sit down at the end of the season and think about it.
"Every game it's possible to make the right decision and it has to be something you're doing for the good of your own career. You don't make any decisions by rushing them."
Despite his frustration, Kalou insists his main concern is winning back his place with the Blues and helping them push for Premier League and European success.
But the 25-year-old knows he faces some tough competition, with Torres, Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda all at manager Ancelotti's disposal.
Kalou added: "They are all top strikers. But I have to say that if you take the statistics I'm not far from them.
"I can reach their level, so I have to keep working hard and that's the only way I will get into the team.
"The manager knows I can bring something to the team as well. Right now he's making the choice of Torres and Anelka. It's working well and we're winning games. So I have to wait.
"Torres is a top striker and has changed teams in the middle of the season before, which is never easy. I think he is going to need time to adapt."
Chelsea visit Blackpool on Monday night, and Kalou is feeling confident after victory over leaders Manchester United on Tuesday evening revived the Blues' slender hopes of defending their Premier League title.
"Everything is possible now," he added. "We have to expect some teams to beat United. Beating United was a turning point for us."
