Zenden: I just need a chance

Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is never pleasant, but at least it makes leaving easy. Being in the right place at the wrong time, though, is a different story. Just ask Boudewijn Zenden, who is enjoying life in London at Chelsea but, through no fault of his own, cannot hold down a regular place in Claudio Ranieri's team.

Players often like to pass the buck when it comes to accepting blame, but Zenden appears to be a victim of his manager's methods. "It's true," confirms Ranieri, who bought the Dutchman for £7 million two years ago. "Bolo doesn't play on a regular basis because I can't have two wingers, as it would leave us too exposed. It's not his mistake."

Zenden, who was given the nickname Bolo by Ronaldo when they were both at PSV Eindhoven, is surprisingly relaxed when we meet at Chelsea's training ground. "An apple can't be a pear," is the simple way Chelsea's left- winger explains his predic-ament, ahead of Tuesday's crucial FA Cup quarter-final replay against Arsenal. "I just don't fit into the system. The trainer feels it is not possible to have one attacking midfielder [Frank Lampard] and two out-and-out wingers [Jesper Gronkjaer and himself] in the same team. I respect that."

Having made his name at PSV and Barcelona, Zenden is well aware of how quickly needs can change at a big club. This is why he has been working extra hard in training.

"I've been trying to persuade the gaffer that I'm a player he should be using every week," Zenden says. "The problem is that there is very little I can do. I asked whether there was something more I should show in training to prove that I am the right man for the team, but he said that I was already doing everything I could. He agrees that my qualities are good, but that they just aren't what Chelsea need at the moment."

Zenden adds: "In a way, it's quite frustrating, because when you know you have to work on a particular skill then that gives you something to focus on. But when you know there's nothing that you can do, it's more difficult."

Zenden is not one for ultimatums, let alone tantrums. Instead, the Dutchman remains philosophical but also calmly determined about his future. "For me there is no panic," the 26-year-old says. "If I wasn't getting into the team because I wasn't good enough, that would be one thing, but I know I can help us get to another level. I know that I'm a big player, who has 40 caps for one of the best national teams in the world, and who can add something to Chelsea. I just need my chance."

Opportunities have been few and far between since Chelsea lost to Viking Stavanger in the second round of the Uefa Cup last October, and the manager subsequently decided to tighten up his midfield. Mario Stanic, who is right-footed but more defensive-minded, has been operating on the left in most matches, leaving Zenden to come on for late cameo appearances.

"There are two reasons why being a substitute is very difficult," he says. "First, it means you don't get the chance to play with your team-mates and really understand how they all tick in a match situation; and second, you often get sent on to try to rescue a situation rather than win it."

This was never more evident than in the first quarter-final against Arsenal, when Zenden was brought at half-time to help hold and pass the ball more. He did just that, and Chelsea eventually equalised eight minutes from time. So, will Zenden be in the team for the replay? "I hope so," he says, "because I'd love to help this club win some silverware. Arsenal are a fantastic team, but they are shaky at the moment, and I enjoy proving myself against those sorts of opponents. It's the perfect stage for me."

Zenden, it would seem, is not ready to throw in the towel just yet. "No," he says, "I really like Chelsea and, as long as there is one per cent chance that I can still make it here, I will continue to fight."