Xabi Alonso is hopeful that Chelsea will not recall Callum Hudson-Odoi from his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen in January.
After falling down the pecking order under Thomas Tuchel in August, the winger was allowed to move to Leverkusen on a season-long deal.
During his time in Germany, the 22-year-old has been provided with regular first-team football, making a total of nine starts and four substitute outings in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
However, Hudson-Odoi has failed to make a sustained impact in the final third, contributing just one goal and one assist during those competitions.
Alonso has previously alluded to Hudson-Odoi's lack of end product, demanding that it improves in order for Leverkusen to make progress under his guidance.
Nevertheless, the recently-appointed Spaniard is confident that Leverkusen will be able to retain the services of the playmaker until the end of the campaign.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, as quoted by Manuel Veth, Alonso said: "I want to keep him a lot.
"I am sure that he will stay until the end of the season. He is an important player for us."
Chelsea are said to have a recall option in January and Graham Potter witnessed his side struggle in the final third ahead of the break for the World Cup.
Not one Chelsea player has scored more than three goals or contributed in excess of three assists from their 17 matches in the Premier League.
From Alonso's perspective, he has recently taken on his first high-profile role in the dugout, starting his Leverkusen stint with four wins, three draws and three defeats from 10 matches.
Three successive wins have been recorded in Germany's top flight, catapulting the club into 12th position after spending much of the season in the relegation zone.
Although Leverkusen missed out on a spot in the Champions League knockout stages, a goalless draw at home to Club Brugge ensured that they finished in third spot in their group ahead of Atletico Madrid, earning a place in the Europa League last 32. body check tags ::
