Salomon Kalou has claimed that former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas refused to select him in the starting lineup because of his ongoing contract situation.

The Ivory Coast international's current deal is due to expire in the summer and Kalou has yet to agree fresh terms at Stamford Bridge.

Kalou made just four starts in all competitions under Villas-Boas, who was sacked earlier this year.

"Maybe Andre was building a new team and he was maybe thinking I wasn't part of the future of the club," the 26-year-old told the London Evening Standard. "I had been told that because I didn't sign the contract I was not allowed to play.

"It has been a hard season not playing. As a player, you want to get involved more, you want to help the team to win and also for yourself.

"You want to score more goals and show you're a better player than people think."

Kalou joined the Blues from Dutch club Feyenoord in 2006.