Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has admitted to feeling 'shame' over Ben Chilwell's situation at Stamford Bridge, with the England defender having been frozen out of the first-team picture.
Chilwell has only played one half of football for the Blues this season, making his only appearance of the campaign against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.
It was reported in the summer that he had been deemed surplus to requirements, but Chelsea were unable to find a buyer and he ended up staying in west London.
Quizzed on Chilwell's situation in Monday's press conference, Maresca admitted that he was not proud of the way the defender has been treated.
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"He has been top, I have to say that," said the Chelsea boss. "Very professional, works hard. I feel shame because of that situation but in terms of behaviour, he has been very good."
Asked to explain why Chilwell has not been getting any chances, Maresca replied: "First of all, because it's my choice. I can see Malo Gusto or Reece James or [Marc] Cucurella doing a different kind of job in the game.
"I think Chilwell is a top full-back doing that job up and down, but I struggle to see Ben doing different kinds of things."
Maresca also hinted that Chilwell could leave before the end of the month, insisting that he will not stand in the way of players who want to gain regular minutes elsewhere.
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"We don't need players to go out," he said. "It's because they want to play more, so there is a chance for them to leave."
Renato Veiga is among the other players to have been linked with a January exit, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that he has already agreed to join Borussia Dortmund on loan.
Asked for an update, Maresca said: "At the moment, I am not aware that there is an agreement for Renato. Yesterday he was here working with us and today he will be here. At the moment, he is our player.
"The only thing I can say is that we bought Renato from Basel, he has played in different positions and has played well. This has allowed him to be in the senior national team for the first time in his life."