In a last-minute move, the midfielder came from Juventus to Stamford Bridge on a six-month loan agreement as the Blues searched for a temporary substitute for N’Golo Kante.
He joined Juventus in January of this year during the transfer window, and the move happened just seven months later.
Prior to his transfer to Chelsea, the 25-year-old made only 15 appearances for the Italian team.
For the Blues, where he has failed to play a single minute this season under Thomas Tuchel or Graham Potter, that lack of playing time has persisted.
He missed out on a single minute of this week’s Champions League victory over AC Milan while sitting on the bench, despite Chelsea’s easy victory.
Potter’s plans may not include him, and expert Marco Streller is baffled as to why the midfielder made the move in the first place.
“We anticipate personality from our athletes. I can’t visit Juventus six months before signing a contract, he reportedly told Stern.
“When they are out of form, he switches clubs once more on the last transfer day. Simply put, this career planning doesn’t work.
“He would play there at some point if he were in great shape and had a solid career plan. but in a very other capacity.
“You can’t always hold the agent or the team responsible. There, the player bears some of the blame. It’s not a serious transfer (to Chelsea) at all! Many mistakes were made since other teams were also participating.